Joshua Yang, a high school senior, became his mother's caregiver after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease following a car accident. Despite his academic and extracurricular ambitions, Yang faced substantial challenges, including declining grades and limited support, as he juggled responsibilities at home. Research indicates that over 5.4 million children in the U.S. provide care to adults, with negative implications for their health and academics. The recent cutbacks in home care services threaten to increase the number of young caregivers like Yang, leading to potential further declines in their well-being.
Researchers estimate that Yang, now 18, counted among at least 5.4 million U.S. children who provide care to an adult in their home.
Studies show that when young people take on care for adults with medical conditions, their health and academic outcomes decline.
For a solid month I was on my phone, on hold, in the back of the class, waiting for the 'hello,' I'd be in third period.
It all fell to me, said Yang, whose sisters were 9 and 10 at the time of their mom's accident.
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