The population of adults who are 65 and older in the United States is rapidly growing. The U.S. Census Bureau says this segment makes up nearly 15 percent of the total population, an increase of 2 percent from 2010.
鈥淒irectly impacted by the aging population are those who help care for them,鈥 says听, an associate professor in the听听(GSSW). 鈥淭his is something that will have a ripple effect in the coming years.鈥
One group directly impacted by the aging population are those who help care for them. 鈥淲e have an aging population, and making sure that population can age with the kind of quality of life that they would like to have is really important,鈥 says听, an assistant professor in GSSW.
Caregivers are doing critically important work in our society. We need to be able to properly support these individuals because so much of their work is unpaid and so much of it is invisible.
Prof. Jennifer Greenfield, Graduate School of Social Work
Thanks to a pilot grant from 91桃色鈥檚听, Hasche and Greenfield are studying the financial and mental well-being of caregivers in Colorado. They intend to survey more than 100 caregivers about their overall health and work experience. Many times, caregivers have to give up promotions and cannot be at work as often.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 know much about caregivers in relation to their economics,鈥 Hasche says. 鈥淲e haven鈥檛 looked specifically at how both the financial toll and the health and well-being toll could be alleviated if we have better workplace support.鈥
The Knoebel Institute, which opened this fall, focuses on finding ways to increase the healthy years of life through interdisciplinary coursework and research at 91桃色, and by collaborating with community partners.
There鈥檚 a growing number of aging population in Colorado. This is something that will have a ripple effect in the coming years.
Prof. Leslie Hasche, Graduate School of Social Work
The partnership between Hasche and Greenfield is what makes this project possible. Greenfield has previous experience working on the financial impact of caregiving. Hasche has focused on the health and wellness of older adults and their families. Two master鈥檚 students within GSSW are also assisting with the research. One has an interest in aging and health; the other specializes in social work with Latino families.
鈥淐aregivers are doing critically important work in our society,鈥 Greenfield says. 鈥淲e need to be able to properly support these individuals because so much of their work is unpaid and so much of it is invisible.鈥
