South Dakota’s Value of Compassion Nearly $1.4B In Unpaid Care

There is no amount of money that one would take to simply care for a loved one. It may be for a spouse, parent, sibling, or other loved ones close to you.

Comparatively, it's like what a mom's salary would or should be. When you start adding up the long list of daily tasks that lay before you as a family caregiver most would agree it's out of love, and that's the big return.

Recently, AARP released new data that indicates that South Dakota family caregivers saw a substantial increase of approximately $400 million in unpaid contributions in the state since the last report was released in 2019.

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Compared to other states South Dakota caregivers' value is $1,35B. It may seem low, but then again, most family caregivers don't draw a paycheck.

Minnesota & Iowa Rankings

Minnesota caregiver's economic value reached $10B. Iowa, almost $5.2B.

According to AARP, the report takes a detailed look at recent developments and promising federal and state policies that support family caregivers, as well as promising practices in the public and private sectors, including the positive representation of caregivers in popular media.

An awakening statistic, by the year 2034, adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children under the age of 18, and the share of potential caregivers is projected to continue shrinking relative to the number of older adults potentially at risk for needing long-term care.

You may currently be a caregiver. If so, you probably work either full or part-time. All the while you face financial risks of your own from lost income, reduced career opportunities and savings, and subsequently lower Social Security and retirement benefits.