“There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been a caregiver, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”
Rosalynn Carter
Nearly one in five Americans are providing unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs. The majority of caregivers are taking care of adults 50 and older, usually a relative. One in three do this alone, with no other assistance.
Most caregivers spend many hours per week monitoring their loved one’s health conditions, assisting with medical or nursing tasks, and advocating on their behalf. They interact with health care providers, community services, and government agencies. Some also provide financial, legal, and other types of assistance.
In 2020, the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP compiled a report on general caregiving in America and a companion report on caregiving for adults aged 50+. Their research shows that in 2020, as compared to 2015:
- More Americans are caring for more than one person.
- More family caregivers have difficulty coordinating care.
- More Americans are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
- More caregivers report their own health is fair to poor.
As of 2020, there were 53 million unpaid caregivers. Baby Boomers make up the largest percentage of caregivers, but Gen-X and Millennials are close behind.
Many caregivers surveyed said they needed help managing the challenging behaviors of the person receiving care, a topic not widely addressed in many books on the topic.
In addition to the lessons contained in Creative Caregiving Solutions, there are many resources available to you to support you as you tackle the immense responsibility of being a caregiver. We’ve added some reliable sources of information and support below.
Online support groups:
- Adult Children of Aging Parents: https://www.acapcommunity.org/ (for family caregivers)
- Aging Life Care Association: https://www.aginglifecare.org/ (for professional caregivers)
Websites:
- AARP Family Caregiving: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/
- Eldercare Locator: https://www.eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
- Aging Care: https://www.agingcare.com
- Caring.com resources for caregivers: https://www.caring.com/caregivers
- Caregiving.com resources for caregivers: https://www.caregiving.com
- Daily Caring: https://www.dailycaring.com/
- Family Caregiver Alliance: https://www.caregiver.org/
- Leeza’s Care Connection: https://www.leezascareconnection.org/
- Caring Today: https://www.caringtoday.com/
- Tara Brach: https://www.tarabrach.com/caregivers (meditations for caregivers)
Podcasts/Blogs/Social Media Sites:
- The Best Podcasts for Family Caregivers: https://www.seniornavigator.org/article/78668/10-essential-podcasts-family-caregivers
- Top 90 Caregiver Blogs and Websites: https://www.blog.feedspot.com/caregiver_blogs/
- 10 Favorite Caregivers on Instagram: https://www.thecaregiverspace.org/our-10-favorite-caregivers-on-instagram/
Print and Digital Magazines:
- Today’s Caregiver digital magazine: https://www.caregiver.com
- Aging Well: https://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com
- Caregiver Solutions digital magazine: https://www.caregiversolutions.ca
- Chicago Health: Caregiving magazine: https://www.chicagocaregiving.com