Groundbreaking publication on caregiving
in the U.S. now available…Caregiving is
valued at $257 billion annually… Study
produced by National Alliance for
Caregiving, funded by MetLife Foundation

New York, New York - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - The value of caregiving to society is estimated at $257 billion annually, with many Americans holding a "second job" as caregiver, according to the groundbreaking study, Caregiving in the U.S. The study's notable 44-page executive summary, highlighting valuable information for policy makers, government officials, employers, academics and community leaders, is now available. It was produced by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, and funded by MetLife Foundation.

A key finding is that the responsibilities of caregiving can create long-term problems in the workplace -- a growing concern as the population ages and there are more instances of people living with debilitating conditions like cancer, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

"This study should be reviewed by all those in policy-making positions because of the ramifications it has for the workplace, government programs, community, and family life," said Gail Hunt, executive director of the National Alliance for Caregiving and a member of the Policy Committee for the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. "As we move forward, there will be a great need for education, assistance and workplace adjustments."

The survey counts 44.4 million people as caregivers -- those who provide unpaid care to another adult. 59% of these caregivers either work, or have worked, while providing care. 62% made adjustments to their work life by taking time away or leaving their jobs entirely.

We learn from the report that with the shortage of healthcare workers in the U.S., and the high cost of care, caregivers represent the backbone of the way care is delivered," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation, a supporter of Alzheimer's research and aging programs. "It directs attention to a growing health concern -- the well-being of caregivers."

Some key highlights:

Almost four in ten (39%) caregivers are men, and 60% of them are working full-time.

The "typical" caregiver is a 46-year-old woman with some college education who works and spends more than 20 hours per week caring for her mother.

83% of caregivers say they assist relatives.

Among caregivers who care for someone other than a spouse, the most burdened caregivers say they make an average monthly financial contribution of $347.

Almost 17% of caregivers say they provide 40 or more hours of care per week.

The average length of care is 4.3 years, but three in ten caregivers provide care for more than five years.

Caregivers age 50 and older, who tend to care for mothers and grandmothers, are among those most likely to have provided care for 20 years or more.

Seventy-nine percent of people needing care are age 50 or older. Caregivers say the main health problems for care recipients over 50 are heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's or other dementia. Caregivers say younger recipients (ages 18-49) suffer mainly from mental illness and depression.

Caregiving in the U.S. is based on a national survey of 6,139 adults of whom 1,247 qualified as caregivers. The margin of error for the sample size is 2.8 percent. Caregivers are defined as those 18 and older who help another person 18 and older with at least one of thirteen caregiving tasks, including: help managing finances, grocery shopping, housework, transferring, dressing, toileting, bathing, showering or eating.