A person, either paid or voluntary, who helps an older person with the activities of daily living, health care, financial matters, guidance, companionship and social interaction. There are more than 48 million Americans, or nearly 1 in 5 (19%), providing care for an adult family member or friend, yet few of these identify themselves as caregivers, according to AARP.
Deeper dive
Generally, caregivers tend to the needs or concerns of a person with short- or long-term limitations due to illness, injury or disability. The term “family caregiver” describes individuals who care for members of their family of origin, but also refers to those who care for their family of choice. This could be members of their congregation, neighbors or close friends. Family caregivers play a significant role in health care, as they are often the main source of valuable information about the patient, according to Johns Hopkins Community Health.
According to the CDC:
- Middle-aged and older adults provide a substantial portion of this care in the US, as they care for children, parents or spouses
- While caregiving can be very rewarding, caregivers may also be at increased risk for negative health consequences including
- stress
- depression
- difficulty maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- staying up to date on recommended clinical preventive services
- Over half (53%) of caregivers indicate that a decline in their health compromises their ability to provide care.
As the older population increases, so will the number of caregivers needed to provide care. The number of people 65 years old and older is expected to double between 2000 and 2030. The CDC projects that there will be 71 million people aged 65 years and older when all baby boomers are at least 65 years old in 2030. Currently, there are seven potential family caregivers per adult. By 2030, there will be only four potential family caregivers per adult.