Florida Blue Offers Caregiver Resources, Available to Everyone at No Cost

Member

 Florida Blue, the state’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, has launched a broad initiative to support caregivers and their loved ones. Available to members and everyone in the community, this new effort offers a range of tools, support groups, connections to local programs, and personalized help available from the Florida Blue Centers. The integrated approach provides valuable resources to support caregiver health and mental well-being, along with care planning resources to help care for loved ones.
 
The Need for Support
According to the most recent data available from the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the AARP Public Policy Institute, titled "Caregiving in the U.S. 2020,” there are approximately 53 million caregivers in the United States. That is 1 in 5 adults. According to the report:

  • The majority of caregivers (85%) are family members, such as spouses, adult children, or other relatives.
  • The average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who spends about 24 hours per week providing care.
  • Caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion in unpaid care each year, valued at about $12.7 billion per month.
 
According to AARP, there are more than 2.7 million family caregivers in Florida, providing an estimated 2.6 billion hours of unpaid care each year for loved ones. And the number increases significantly when you include those devoted to children with challenges.
 
The Impact of Caregiving
Caregiving often takes a toll on the caregiver's physical and mental health, as they focus their attention on the individual in need of support, at times at the expense of their own well-being.
 
“With one in five adults in the U.S. serving as caregivers for a loved one, we felt it was imperative to drive awareness of the needs and issues, educate communities on support and resources available, increase support for caregivers, and be a knowledgeable voice in our communities,” said Dr. Thomas Graf, vice president & CMO, Florida Blue Medicare. “After all, our mission is to help people and communities achieve better health, and this is simply another way for us to serve as a trusted advisor and health solutions partner.”
 
Resources and Services
Florida Blue Centers across the state provide a safe place to talk about the realities caregiving. In-person, over the phone, or through a live virtual call, the Center teams engage and educate on the support resources available from Florida Blue or in the area. Community specialists (social workers) at Florida Blue Centers help connect people, at no cost, to local resources including:
 
  • Support groups for caregivers
  • Food programs and financial support
  • Transportation
  • Government programs
  • Military and Veteran Services
 
In addition, online resources are now available at FloridaBlue.com/Caregiver to help those starting or already on a caregiving journey. These include:
   
Support is available at no cost to members and everyone in the community by phone, in person, and virtually. Call 1-877-352-5830 to connect with a Community Specialist or find the nearest center at FloridaBlue.com/Centers. The Community Specialists also offer caregiver support webinars and classes on health and well-being topics at no extra cost that are available to everyone in the community.
 
About Florida Blue 
Florida Blue, the leading health insurer in Florida, has been providing health solutions to residents of Florida for more than 80 years. Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, the company serves more than six million members and all 67 Florida counties. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., with more than 9,000 employees, it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
 
For additional information visit www.FloridaBlue.com. For the latest news and content, visit the Florida Blue Newsroom, and follow Florida Blue on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @Florida.Blue; and X (formerly Twitter) @FLBlue. 

Florida Blue Offers Caregiver Resources, Available to Everyone at No Cost