There are 63 million Americans who are caregivers. This number is expected to increase over the next few years as the baby boomer generation ages into their senior years.
Caregivers come from all walks of life and all ages.
- The largest group of caregivers is working and is in their middle-aged adult years. They often care for a child with disabilities and/or a parent with disabilities. Those people who are taking care of both a child and parent are also called sandwich generation caregivers, and make up 29% of caregivers.
- According to the American Association of Caregiving Youth, there are over 5.4 million children and teens who provide care or assistance to loved ones. They are typically taking care of a parent, grandparent, or sibling.
- Nearly 1 in 4 (22%) of caregivers are over the age of 65. Many of these individuals face substantial health challenges themselves while providing care for others.
Being a caregiver comes with difficulties, but can be a very rewarding experience. If you are a caregiver it is important to be educated not only on how to help the person you care for, but also yourself. Caregivers are more likely to have physical and mental health illnesses, a higher financial burden, and require work accommodations. On a more positive side, those who are caregivers report having a high degree of self-confidence. They also report that they learn new skills and are able to strengthen their relationship with others by being more sympathetic.
The nature of being a caregiver is to be concerned about the health and wellness of others, but it should not come at the expense of self-care. It is important to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising, taking time out for yourself, and seeking professional help if needed.
It is common among caregivers to develop depression or anxiety. Take a mental health screening if you are a caregiver and feel:
- Anxious
- Cry often
- Lonely or detached from others
- Angry
- Very tired
- Hopeless
- Have thoughts of suicide or self-harm
