Caregiving Statistics: What Do We Look Like Now?
Many things haven’t changed in the past 13 years.
Most caregivers are still female.
Most caregivers are likely to be employed fulltime, caregiving on the side.
Most caregivers spend on average 19 hours in the caregiving role each week.
But some things have.
The National Alliance for Caregiving, in collaboration with AARP, and funded by The MetLife Foundation, produces Caregiving In The U.S., a profile of caregivers throughout the U.S. This report has been published since 1997, and provides an inside look at people taking care of family members at any age, including the elderly and children with special needs.
What has changed over the past 13 years is the age of the people we are taking care of. In 2004, caregiving to elders 75 and older was at 55 percent. Now it’s up to 63 percent.
As the population continues to age, healthcare regulations and policies change, and demands on caregivers continue to increase, there are some definite things most people would like to see changed and improved:
- Tax credits for those in a caregiving position
- Voucher programs to pay family members in caregiving roles
- Better transportation systems
To name just a few.
We also know as a caregiving service, that daily help isn’t just for the person in need of caregiving; it’s also to help out the caregiver, and provide an extra set of hands when it seems the caregiving role has grown beyond a 24-hour day job.
What would you like to see as a caregiver?
