Caring for an Elderly Loved One? You're Not Alone

"Caregiving in the U.S.," a new report from the AARP/National Alliance for Caregiving, reveals that nearly one-third of the population, or 65.7 million adults, provide some level of care.


About 70 percent of of those adults provide care to someone over the age of 50, usually a relative (86%) and often a parent (36%). The average caregiver spends about 20 hours a week providing care.

Additional findings:

• American caregivers are predominantly female (66%)
• The average caregiver is 48 years old
• One in seven caregivers provides care over and above traditional parenting to a child with special needs
• Caregiving lasts an average of 4.6 years

The top reasons cited for why people needed care included old age (12%), Alzheimer's disease (10%), mental/emotional illness (7%), cancer (7%), heart disease (5%) and stroke (5%).

The report also noted that both caregivers of adults and their care recipients are older than their counterparts were five years ago. For caregivers, the average age rose from 46 to 49. For those receiving care, the age shifted upward from 67 to 69.

To view the report, click here.