Consider This from NPR Expensive and exhausting: Why caregivers need to care for themselves, too
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Nov 20, 2025 Dawnita Brown, a dedicated caregiver for her parents and founder of The Binti Circle, sheds light on the challenges faced by caregivers, especially within the Black community. She discusses the staggering costs of caregiving and the lack of adequate insurance coverage, which leads many to shoulder the burden alone. Brown emphasizes the importance of self-care practices like yoga and medical checkups. By establishing The Binti Circle, she aims to create a support network that addresses cultural expectations and mental health for caregivers, fostering a much-needed judgment-free space.
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The Hidden Economic Weight Of Caregiving
- Family caregivers provide enormous unpaid labor valued at roughly $600 billion annually.
- Many people step in because professional long-term care often costs more than the average American earns.
From Peace Corps To Full-Time Caregiver
- Dawnita Brown returned from Peace Corps leave when her mother had a stroke and became her full-time caregiver.
- She later brought her mother home from rehab and now cares for both parents in one house.
Use Benefits And Fiscal Planning
- Use available benefits and prudent financial planning to sustain caregiving when possible.
- Leverage Medicare, supplemental insurance, pensions, and reduced personal debt to make caregiving viable.