FAMILY CAREGIVER FACTS

FACT: 22.4 million (almost one out of every four) U.S. households are involved with family caregiving to elder relatives or friends.

FACT: The estimated number of caregivers is 27.3 million. 59% of caregivers are female; 41% are male.

FACT: The typical family caregiver is a 46-year old woman who is employed and also spends around 18 hours per week caring for her mother who lives nearby.

FACT: While the average caregiver provides care for 18 hours per week, one in five provides "constant care" or at least 40 hours per week.

FACT: Nearly two thirds of caregivers are working full or part time. Over half report making some adjustment in their schedule (taking time off, coming in late, dropping back to part-time, quitting work).

FACT: One in three family caregivers is caring for two or more persons.

FACT: 41% of caregivers are raising their own children while caring for an older adult.

FACT: The average monthly out-of-pocket expense for a non-spousal family caregiver is $171. Total unreimbursed monthly expenses for non-spousal family caregivers is $1.5 billion.

FACT: The economic value of informal family caregiving is $257 billion.

FACT: American businesses lose between $11 and $29 billion a year in productivity costs due to caregiving-related work interruptions.

FACT: Caregivers have purchasing power; 79% buy all or nearly all of the caregiving health products for their care recipient.

Resources:

1 Family Caregiving in the U.S.: Findings from a National Survey. National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. 1997

2 Economic Value of Informal Caregiving. Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Orlando, FL. Feb. 24, 2002. Dr. Peter S. Arno.

3 The Metlife Study of Employer Costs for Working Caregivers. Metlife Mature Market Group and National Alliance for Caregiving. June, 1997.

4 Caregiving in the U.S.: Needs, Issues and Insights. The Caregivers Advisory Panel (TCAP). 2001. Selected findings from this study available from TCAP.

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