Caregiving Facts

Caregiving Facts Overview

Family caregiving occurs at every stage along the life span. Although it has been traditionally regarded as an “informal” aspect of health care, many policy makers and stakeholders now acknowledge that family caregivers provide essential services, and in many cases, they operate as front-line health service providers.

This section presents basic information about the increasing number of family caregivers, the many circumstances in which family caregiving occurs, and the many duties and tasks that typify family caregiving. The section also contains information about the health and emotional risks and benefits that caregivers may experience.

In the Caregiving Facts Section

Who Are Family Caregivers?

Almost a third of the adult U.S. population is a caregiver for an ill or disabled relative, the majority are female and many are employed part- or full-time.

What Do Family Caregivers Do?

Family caregivers operate as extensions of health care systems performing complex medical and therapeutic tasks and ensuring care recipient adherence to therapeutic regimens.

Cultural Diversity and Caregiving

Ethnic minority caregivers had a lower socioeconomic status, received more support from family members and friends, provided more care than White caregivers and had worse physical health.

Mental and Physical Health Effects of Family Caregiving

Family caregivers often face stress and disruption of their own well-being and social activities, but many also experience psychological and health benefits.

The Financial Costs of Family Caregiving

Caregiver facts and statistics on the high costs for home health care and skilled nursing care for family members in caregiver roles experiencing financial hardships following the disability of a spouse or adult child due to medical costs, lower income and limits for insurance coverage.

Positive Aspects of Caregiving

Finding a positive form of coping with stressful circumstances and situations can involve finding meaning through positive reappraisals, spiritual beliefs or other adaptive coping mechanisms in the face of stress.

Family Caregivers' Needs Are Often Invisible

Caregiving takes time from support sources like colleagues, spouses, children, friends and task-oriented groups or clubs and activities are limited by distance and mobility and difficulties in obtaining respite care.

Family Caregiver Well-Being is Important to Care Recipient Health

Care recipients whose caregivers lack effective coping styles or have problems with depression are at risk for falling, secondary complications such as pressure sores and declines in functional abilities.

Date created: 2011

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