 A recent national survey by Choice Mutual highlights growing concerns across the U.S. about the emotional and financial demands of caring for aging parents—and Virginia ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to caregiver preparedness.
The study, titled “States Where People Are Least Ready to Care for Their Parents”, surveyed over 2,500 adults and ranked all 50 states based on how confident residents felt about stepping into caregiving roles. While states like Arkansas and Michigan topped the list with high preparedness, Virginia’s results reveal that many residents feel overwhelmed or unprepared for the challenges of elder care. Virginians Struggle with Caregiving Costs and Emotional ReadinessIn Virginia, just under 50% of respondents said they felt emotionally and logistically ready to care for an aging parent. Financial concerns loomed large—nearly two-thirds of Virginians surveyed expressed worry about how they would afford care-related expenses, such as home health aides, medical bills, or time off work. More than 40% of Virginians believed they might need to reduce work hours or leave their jobs entirely if a parent required full-time support. The stress of caregiving isn’t just financial—respondents also cited emotional strain, lack of guidance, and fear of making wrong decisions on behalf of a parent. Communication Gaps PersistDespite the looming responsibilities, only about a third of Virginians reported having discussed caregiving plans with their parents. This lack of communication leaves many families unprepared when a health crisis occurs. The report also found that only 1 in 4 Virginia respondents had researched long-term care options such as assisted living or insurance coverage. This gap in planning may further contribute to the anxiety caregivers experience when facing tough decisions. Virginia vs. the NationCompared to top-ranked states like Arkansas (66% prepared) and low-ranking Oregon (41%), Virginia’s preparedness level falls in the lower-middle range, signaling room for improvement. Interestingly, the study also found that residents in some Southern states—Virginia included—were more likely to express a strong emotional desire to care for parents personally, even if they weren’t logistically or financially ready. Women in Virginia, consistent with national trends, were far more likely to expect caregiving duties to fall on them. Millennials and Gen Xers expressed particular concern about balancing work, finances, and caregiving, often referred to as the challenges of the “sandwich generation.” What Virginians Can DoExperts recommend starting the conversation early. "Planning before a crisis gives families more options and less stress," said Anthony Martin, CEO of Choice Mutual. Virginians are encouraged to discuss care preferences, explore insurance options, and seek out community support resources well in advance. Explore the full report and see how Virginia compares to other states: https://choicemutual.com/blog/caring-for-parents-survey/ Comments are closed.
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