The Occupational Hazards of Caregiving

Caregiving to my misimpression seems as one of the popular overseas job for Filipinos. However, according to this news, only about 140,000 Filipinos are employed as caregivers in the US.

Yet this Gallup report reveals that a career in this health sector has been presented with more hazard than other type of work in terms of well-being, physical and emotional health.

Gallup on Caregiver’s Well Being

Americans who work a full-time job and say they care for an elderly or disabled family member, relative, or friend -- 16% of the full-time workforce -- suffer from lower wellbeing than those who work a full-time job but do not have additional caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers' 66.4 overall wellbeing score is significantly lower than the 70.2 among non-caregivers.

Gallup on Caregiver’s Physical Health

Americans who work a full-time job and say they care for an elderly or disabled family member, relative, or friend, suffer from poorer physical health than those who work a full-time job but do not have additional caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers, who represent 16% of the full-time American workforce, have a Physical Health Index score of 77.4, which is significantly lower than the 83.0 found among non-caregivers.

Gallup on Caregiver’s Emotional Health

Americans who work a full-time job and say they care for an elderly or disabled family member, relative, or friend, suffer from poorer emotional health than those who work a full-time job but do not have additional caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers, who represent 16% of the full-time American workforce, have an Emotional Health Index score of 78.0, which is significantly lower than the 81.9 found among non-caregivers.

I don’t know if the above dynamics also applies to Filipinos.

Nevertheless, given the high degree of mental stress involved perhaps this type of work commands a high pay based on high turnovers.

Here is an estimate of caregiver pay.

However compared to other jobs (above chart from money-zine.com), caregivers which belongs to the Healthcare support work, seems to be on the lowest quartile.

I have less data on this work to make a comprehensive commentary, except that I just find the state of the caregiving job as intriguing (and so is the reason for this post)