GMC Thursday Headlines: SC ranks 7th in states that are most dependent on the federal government & Dementia caregiving rises

Headline: SC Ranks 7th Amongst Most Federally Dependent States, Dementia Caregiving Increases

South Carolina (SC) ranks 7th in states most dependent on the federal government, according to data from the US Census Bureau. The Palmetto State, along with other Southern states, was ranked among the top 10 states that receive the most federal funding.

The data also revealed that many of the states receiving the most federal funding in fiscal year 2019 were in the South, with Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana in the top five. South Carolina received $2.2 billion in federal funding, which amounted to 11.4% of the state’s total revenue.

Meanwhile, a recent report from the National Alliance for Caregiving and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America found that the number of dementia caregivers has increased significantly in the past few years. The report estimates that there are now 5.8 million Americans providing unpaid care for someone with dementia.

The report also found that dementia caregivers face an increased burden of stress, fatigue, and depression due to the challenging nature of the disease. In addition, the report highlighted the financial strain that dementia caregivers often face, with an estimated $10 billion of their own money being spent on caregiving expenses each year.

With this increased burden, the report concluded that more support is needed for dementia caregivers. It called for more access to resources such as educational and financial support, as well as respite care and emotional support.

These findings come at a time when the US is facing an unprecedented financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic. This crisis has exacerbated the need for federal funding, while also highlighting the urgent need for more support for dementia caregivers.