Family Members Are Regular Caregivers

Question: After reading an article, I was surprised about the numbers of family members caring for frail older adults. I thought agencies or private workers provided most community care. Are many families trying to do this on their own?

Answer: Each day approximately 23.2% of all households in the U.S. are involved in caregiving. This translates into more than 22 million family members who devote all or part of their day assisting older family members, neighbors, and friends. Jeannette Takamura, former Assistant Secretary for the Administration on Aging, stated “Informal caregivers are the backbone of the long-term care system in the United States today.”

Caregiving can involve helping out around the house, providing transportation to the store or doctor’s office, paying bills, or actually residing with a relative to provide a safe environment. Eighty percent of all care for older adults is still provided by families.

Caring for older relatives is nothing new to American families. Historically, we have taken care of our parents, in-laws, spouses, and friends when they have needed help. We continue to do so, but considerable emotional and financial stress sometimes accompanies our efforts.

Those caregivers, often referred to as the “Sandwich Generation,” are challenged to somehow find a balance between responsibilities of raising young children and simultaneously supporting their parents. Time is a precious commodity—there are never enough hours in the day when someone is being pulled in different directions.

Caregivers who are currently employed are frequently juggling the demands of the job along with their caregiving tasks. Inevitably, conflicts arise and lead to unscheduled days off, lower productivity, or stress-related illnesses. When caregiving involves financial support, the pressure is even greater to keep up appearances on the job.

Everyday countless numbers of family members are making a commitment to continue providing care to their loved ones in hopes of allowing them to remain in the community as long as possible. Our nation’s caregivers don’t ask for special rewards or recognition—they act because they care. Last fall President Bush proclaimed November as National Family Caregivers Month honoring those “individuals who bring hope and comfort to their fellow citizens in need”.

As our population ages, our society will become increasingly dependent on the care provided by family members, friends, and neighbors. Federal, state, and local government should continue to develop and adequately fund community-based services to support the efforts of all caregivers.