Family caregivers are relatives, neighbors or close friends who directly provide for or manage the care of someone else that needs assistance to maintain an optimal level of independence.

Demographics

• In 1 out of every 4 households, someone is involved in providing care to a relative or friend age 50 and over.
• According to surveys, caregiving is more prevalent in non-white families ranging from 32 percent in Asian-American families, 29 percent in African-American families, 27 percent in Hispanic-American families and 24-25 percent in families of European descent.
• The average age of a caregiver is 57, however, 25 percent are between 65 and 75 years of age and another 10 percent is 75 and older.
• Nearly 23 percent of caregivers are wives, 13 percent are husbands, 29 percent are daughters and 9 percent are sons.
• Between 20 and 40 percent of caregivers are in the "sandwich generation" with children under age 18 to care for in addition to their disabled older relative.
• 64 percent of caregivers are in the workforce: 52 percent full-time; 12 percent part-time.

Care Recipients

• Nearly 3 out of 4 caregivers live with the care recipient.
• In Minnesota, families provide 95 percent of all assistance needed by an older adult and about 75 percent of disabled elders depend exclusively on informal sources of assistance.

Financials

• On average, caregivers provide personal care assistance and household maintenance chores for 18 hours a week; 11 percent provide round-the-clock care.
• The majority of caregivers provided unpaid assistance for 1 to 4 years; 20 percent provide care for 5 years or longer.
• Estimates suggest the value of family caregivers to the health care system is about $196 billion each year, compared to $32 billion per year spent for home care and $83 billion per year for nursing home care.
• It has been stated that without family caregivers, our healthcare system would be bankrupt.

Source: FamilyMeans, a United Way supported agency provides family counseling and school programs, youth development activities, support, services for seniors and Consumer Credit Counseling Services.

Resources: United Way 2-1-1™ is a free and confidential, 24/7 helpline that can connect you to over 40,000 community programs and resources. Just dial 2-1-1 or 651-291-0211.