Family Caregiver
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, an estimated 53 million adults are providing care to an adult family member. In large part family members are untrained and unpaid for the assistance and support they are providing. Forty percent of those families live in multi-generational homes. When illness or advanced age impacts an individual’s ability to accomplish activities of daily living (ADLs) traditional roles often shift to focus on the provision of care. Spouses are often the first to care for each other, and as both spouses live longer, adult children become increasingly involved in providing care for their parents.
The vast majority of family caregivers are unpaid, however as the population ages, an increasing number of states are recognizing the benefit of providing services and support to family caregivers to avoid the high costs of placement in long-term care facilities.
Find information and tips from AgingCare’s experts and get advice and support from other family caregivers in our online Caregiver Forum.
Family Caregiver Articles
Caregiver Statistics: Facts About Family Caregivers
Millions of Americans step into the role of family caregiver without really thinking about this label or fully understanding the responsibilities and sacrifices that come with it.
0 CommentsAm I a Caregiver? Defining the Family Caregiver Role
Many individuals struggle to accept the label of “family caregiver,” but fully embracing this role increases our chances of succeeding in it.
5 CommentsHow to Get Paid to Be a Caregiver for Parents
Interested in taking care of elderly parents at home and getting paid? There are many resources that pay family caregivers for their services.
219 Comments6 Pieces of Wisdom Nurses Often Share with New Family Caregivers
More than any other medical professionals, nurses spend the most time providing hands-on care for patients and interacting with family caregivers. Here’s a list of six elder care insights that nurses share with family members who are new to caregiving.
12 CommentsHow I Stopped Resenting My Siblings as a Family Caregiver
A caregiver explores how she let go of anger, resentment and jealousy toward her siblings that was damaging her family relationships and hindering her ability to care for her aging parents.
78 Comments
Family Caregiver Questions
Once you place your loved one in memory care, did you wonder if you did enough to keep them home? Also siblings don’t like your decision.
7 AnswersAnabanana Answered 8 min agoHow do you see past the anger where your spouse has self neglected for 20 years and now we are both paying the price?
12 AnswersBestronger Answered 35 min agoShould I ask my mom's visiting nurse to do a “surprise visit?"
7 AnswersNeedHelpWithMom Answered 57 min agoIs there a way that family members can get compensated for care of a family member? I live in Colorado.
3 AnswersKNance72 Answered 1 hour ago
Family Caregiver Discussions
On My Mind
9,030 Commentsgolden23 Commented 1 hour agoWhat's for dinner?
13,033 Commentsgolden23 Commented 15 hours agoThe Caregiver & Dysfunctional Families: How are you doing?
33,916 CommentsRoseLKuh71 Commented 17 hours agoMy "whine moment today." What's yours?
32,426 CommentsSendhelp Commented May 18, 2024