Identifying Families at Risk For Out-of-Pocket Caregiving Costs Using a U.S. Population-based Sample

Abstract

This study focused on out-of-pocket expenditures from informal caregivers providing care to friends or family members. The main objective was to identify families most at risk for out-of- pocket costs associated with caregiving. Cross-sectional data from the “Family Caregiving and Out-of-Pocket Costs 2016”, a national study fielded by the Association of American Retired Persons (AARP), were used. Descriptive analyses and regression modeling were performed, using population weights. We found that caregivers with a child or children in the household had higher odds of out-of-pocket spending than did caregivers with no children in the household (aOR 1.97; 95% CI, 1.42-2.72). A dose-response relationship was present; those with high levels of caregiving burdens were more likely to report out of pocket costs compared to caregivers with a low burden indices (aOR 2.26; 95% CI, 1.66-3.07). These findings highlight the pressing need for further policy and program development targeting informal caregivers, particularly younger caregivers.