Our Work » HEALTH United Way Caregivers Coalition Summary of Our Work Caregivers are found in every community in the world, caring for loved ones of all ages with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Family, friends, or neighbors may care for an aging parent, a sibling The number of unpaid caregivers is great and growing. - In the last year, 28.5 percent (that’s 65.7 million people!) of the adult U.S. population is estimated to have served as an unpaid family caregiver.
- Approximately 106,000 in Morris County
- Approximately 30,000 in North Essex
- Approximately 70,000 in Somerset County
- Approximately 32,000 in Sussex County
- Approximately 24,000 in Warren County
with mental illness, or a child or spouse with a disability. Caregivers may provide care full-time, part-time, or long distance. While each caregiving situation is unique, United Way of Northern New Jersey believes that all caregivers share the need for up-to-date information, easy access to resources, and support. We are there for you so you can be there for your loved ones. United Way Caregivers Coalition was formed in 2005 to help improve the lives of caregivers in Morris County. In 2011, Coalitions were launched in North Essex and Somerset County and plans are underway to begin Coalitions in Sussex and Warren in 2012. United Way Caregivers Coalition Mission The mission of the United Way Caregivers Coalition is to promote knowledge of and action around caregiving issues to ensure all caregivers identify themselves in this role and have access to the resources, services, education, and other support needed to sustain them as caregivers. United Way Caregivers Coalition goals are: - To strengthen services and resources to caregivers in northern New Jersey
- To improve access to information about caregiving, and about available and appropriate services
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Unpaid family caregivers are the mainstay of our long-term health care system - 80 percent of long-term care is provided in the home, not in institutions
- Nationally, the value of the care provided at home by caregivers is estimated to be $450 billion per year
- It costs three times the amount to be cared for in a facility than it does to be cared for at home
To identify and respond to gaps in services to caregivers - To advocate for policies and legislation to improve the quality of life for caregivers
- To provide caregiver educational programs and resource information to social service providers, health care providers, family caregivers, corporations and businesses, and the community
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