One Third of American’s Act as Caregivers

As we age our bodies inevitably deteriorate and fortunately or not we are living longer than ever. The unforeseen ripple effect of the coming “gray wave” will be a spike in the need for caregivers. In a study funded by the MetLife Foundation found that almost one third of the US adult population plays a caregiver role.

The statistics reported in December in Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, found that 65.7 million people act as caregivers of the elderly and children with special needs. Caregiving required on average 20 hour per week. The findings also found that caregivers are predominantly female (66%) and an average of 48 years old. The study also revealed that both caregivers of adults and their recipients are now older than they were five years ago. The primary reasons people need care are no surprise old age (12%), Alzheimer’s disease (10%), mental/emotional illness cancer, heart disease and stroke.

An unfortunate side effect of being a personal attendant is that one in six caregivers reported that care giving has had a negative impact on their health. Neil Hunt, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, says, “The shift to an older population of caregivers’ points to a real need for assistance for these individuals from family, friends, employers and social service programs. With more support for caregiving, older and disabled people would be able to do what is so important to them to remain in their own homes with those they love.”