Caregivers - Carers: Services, News, Information

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 23 Jul 2026

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics

Synopsis

Overview of caregivers and carers, covering the unpaid family members who support aging, disabled, or ill loved ones, plus key statistics and services.

At a Glance

• 1 - The typical caregiver is a 46-year-old woman providing more than 20 hours of care each week to her mother.
• 2 - Roughly 53 million people in the United States care for family members at home, and unpaid caregivers provide about 90% of all long-term care.
• 3 - About 87% of people with Alzheimer's disease are cared for at home by family members. Around half of all carers are effectively shut out of paid employment by their caregiving demands.

Topic Definition

Carer / Caregiver

A carer, the term common in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia, or a caregiver, as it is known in the United States and Canada, is a person who looks after another individual who cannot fully manage on their own. In most cases these are unpaid relatives or friends, though some caregivers are paid, and the role often gets labeled as family, spousal, or child caregiving depending on the relationship. The people receiving this help are frequently coping with the effects of old age, disability, chronic disease, or a mental health condition, and the support ranges widely - from giving medicine and helping with bathing and dressing to paying bills, cooking, and simply offering company and emotional reassurance. As populations age across the developed world, caregivers have become recognized as an essential part of the long-term care system, quietly saving governments and insurers enormous sums while carrying a heavy personal load.

Overview

With an increasingly aging population in all developed societies, the role of carer has been increasingly recognized as an important one, both functionally and economically. Many organizations which provide support for persons with disabilities have developed various forms of support for carers as well.

Caregivers provide help to another person in need. The person receiving care may be an adult - typically a parent or a spouse - or a child with special medical needs. Some caregivers are family members. Others are paid. Caregivers do many things, including:

• Pay bills
• Give medicine
• Clean the house
• Help the person eat
• Shop for food and cook
• Provide company and emotional support
• Help the person go to the bathroom, bathe and dress

In the United States today there are approximately 53 million people who are caring at home for family members including elderly parents, and spouses and children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Without this home-care, most of these cared for loved ones would require permanent placement in institutions or health care facilities at great cost to our society.

Close to 80% of all long-term care is now provided at home by family caregivers to children and adults with serious conditions, including mental health issues, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury, cancer, paralysis, developmental and physical disabilities, cognitive impairments and Alzheimer's disease. Parents and family caregivers are the backbone of the long-term care system and save health-care insurers and governments billions of dollars annually.

According to the American National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), more than one quarter (26.6 percent) of the adult population has provided care for a chronically ill, disabled or aging family member or friend during the past year. Based on current census data, that translates into more than 50 million people.

Around half of all carers are effectively excluded from paid employment through the heavy demands and responsibilities of caring for a vulnerable relative or friend. Their work has huge economic and social impact.

Individuals who are interested in home care training should contact their local hospital, counsel on aging or community college to inquire about home care training programs in their area. There are also some training programs offered online as well as through faith-based organizations such as churches and synagogues.

Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's or Dementia

• 18% of children 8 to 18 years old provide unpaid care for someone (Alzheimer's Association, 2009).
• 10% of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia are doing so long distance.
• The average age of a caregiver to a person with Alzheimer's disease or other is 48 years old. (Alzheimer's Association, 2009).
• The vast majority (87%) of individuals with Alzheimer's disease are cared for at home by family members (Alzheimer's Association, 2009).
• For Alzheimer's disease alone, in 2008 there were an estimated 9.9 million caregivers providing 8.5 billion hours of care at a value of $94 Billion dollars (Alzheimer's Association, 2009).
• Caregivers provide assistance to a person with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia who is their parent or parent-in-law (57%), grandparent (11%), or spouse (6%; Alzheimer's Association, 2009).
• An estimated 25-29% of caregivers of persons age 50 or older provide assistance to someone with a cognitive impairment, a memory problem, or a disorder like Alzheimer's disease or other dementia (NAC, 2004).

U.S. Caregiver Statistics

• Unpaid caregivers provide an estimated 90% of the long-term care (IOM, 2008).
• An estimated 21% of households in the United States are impacted by caregiving responsibilities (NAC, 2004).
• More than 34 million unpaid caregivers provide care to someone age 18 and older who is ill or has a disability (AARP, 2008).
• The typical caregiver is a 46-year-old woman with some college experience and provides more than 20 hours of care each week to her mother (NAC, 2004).
• About 30% said they need help keeping the person they care for safe, and 27% would like to find easy activities to do with the person they care for (NAC, 2004).
• The majority (83%) are family caregivers - unpaid persons such as family members, friends, and neighbors of all ages who are providing care for a relative (FCA, 2005)
• Half (53%) of caregivers who said their health had gotten worse due to caregiving also said the decline in their health has affected their ability to provide care (NAC, 2006).
• Caregivers report having difficulty finding time for one's self (35%), managing emotional and physical stress (29%), and balancing work and family responsibilities (29%) (NAC, 2004).
• About 73% of surveyed caregivers said praying helps them cope with caregiving stress, 61% said that they speak with or seek advice from friends or relatives, and 44% read about caregiving in books or other materials (NAC, 2004).
• The out-of-pocket costs for caregivers who are caring for someone who was age 50 or older averaged $5,531 in 2007. About 37% of caregivers for someone age 50 and older reduced their work hours or quit their job in 2007 (AARP, 2008).
• Caregivers said they do not go to the doctor because they put their family's needs first (67% said that is a major reason), or they put the care recipient's needs over their own (57%). More than half (51%) said they do not have time to take care of themselves, and almost half (49%) said they are too tired to do so (NAC, 2004).

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a caregiver prevent burnout while providing daily care?

Caregiver burnout can be reduced by setting realistic limits, taking regular short breaks, and accepting help from others rather than trying to do everything alone. Building a routine that includes rest, exercise, and time away from caregiving tasks helps protect both physical and emotional health. Joining a support group, whether in person or online, allows caregivers to share experiences and feel less isolated, which makes the long-term role far more sustainable.

What is respite care and how does it help family caregivers?

Respite care is temporary, short-term relief that gives a primary caregiver a break from their daily duties. It can be arranged for a few hours, a full day, or several days, and may take place in the home, at an adult day center, or in a residential facility. This service allows caregivers to rest, attend appointments, or simply recharge, while ensuring their loved one continues to receive safe and reliable care.

Are there financial support options available for unpaid caregivers?

Some caregivers may qualify for financial help through government programs, veteran benefits, tax credits, or state-funded caregiver support initiatives, depending on where they live and the situation of the person they care for. Certain long-term care insurance policies also allow payments to family members who provide care. It is worth contacting a local aging or disability agency to learn which programs apply, since eligibility and available funding vary widely by region.

How can a caregiver balance work and caregiving responsibilities?

Balancing employment with caregiving often means speaking openly with an employer about flexible hours, remote work, or leave options that may be available. Creating a shared schedule with other family members can spread the workload so that no single person carries it all. Some workplaces offer employee assistance programs or family leave protections, so reviewing company policies and legal rights can reveal support that makes both roles more manageable.

What legal documents should be in place when caring for a loved one?

Having key legal documents prepared in advance helps a caregiver act on behalf of the person they support when needed. These often include a power of attorney for financial matters, a health care proxy or medical power of attorney, and an advance directive that records the person's wishes for treatment. Arranging these while the individual is still able to make decisions prevents confusion and delays during a medical crisis.

How can long-distance caregivers stay involved from far away?

Long-distance caregivers can remain effective by coordinating with local family, friends, or paid helpers who can check in regularly. Technology such as video calls, medication reminder apps, and remote monitoring devices helps them stay connected and aware of daily needs. Keeping an organized file of medical contacts, prescriptions, and important documents also allows a distant caregiver to respond quickly whenever an urgent situation arises.

What signs suggest a loved one may need more care than a family caregiver can provide?

Warning signs that care needs have grown beyond what one person can manage include frequent falls, missed medications, weight loss, poor hygiene, or worsening confusion. Increasing safety risks or a caregiver's own declining health can also indicate the time has come to consider additional in-home help or a professional care setting. Recognizing these changes early allows the family to plan calmly rather than react during an emergency.

Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.

Last updated: 23 Jul 2026