Are you concerned about your aging parents?

Are you managing Mom and Dad’s checkbook or paying their bills?

Do you go grocery shopping for an older family member or friend?

 Are you worried about an older family member who lives in another city?

Do you miss work to care for your parents or spouse?

 Are you caring for both your parents and young children?

 Are you under a great amount of stress due to the needs of your aging parents?

 Are you neglecting your needs to meet the needs of others?

Alzheimer’s Association – disease specific education, information and assistance, support groups, memory screenings, Safe Return bracelets.  They can be contacted at (915)544-1799.  Offices located at 4400 N. Mesa #9 El Paso, TX 79902.  Website:  http://www.alzelpaso.org

 One in four households is currently caring for people 50 years and older

Within the next ten years, an estimated 70 million baby boomers will be caring for spouses and/or parents

The bulk of caregivers in the U.S. range in age from 35 – 49

More than 40% of those caring for older adults are also raising children under age 18

Approximately 73% of those providing care to older family members and friends are female, 27% are male

Typical caregiver is a married woman in her mid-40’s who works full time

The average caregiver provides care for 18 hours per week; 1 out of 5 provides “constant care” or at least 40 hours of care per week

Within the next two decades, 1 in 3 individuals in the workplace will have the responsibilities of caring for at least one elderly person

	Currently, 64% of all caregivers are working
	52% full-time
	12% part-time

About ½ of primary caregivers provide care with no outside assistance

 Only an estimated 10%-20% of caregivers use formal services through public or private agencies

Support services for caregivers, including counseling, information, and ongoing support, have been shown to deter institutionalization of care recipients with moderate dementia by nearly a year

Caregivers of persons with dementia who use adult day care services experience less stress and better psychological well being than those who do not use the service

 Among working caregivers, more than half have made at least some work-related changes to accommodate the demands of caregiving

	Modifying work schedule
	Going in to work late
	Leaving work early
	Taking time off during the day
	26% have had to take a leave of absence due to caregiving responsibilities
	30 % have had to give up work entirely
	15 % took early retirement

If the work of caregivers had to be replaced by paid home care staff, the estimated cost would be $45-$94 billion per year

Because caregiving is such an emotionally draining experience, caregivers experience depression at 3 times the rate of others in their own age group, and they are more likely to become physically ill themselves

Female caregivers are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and other symptoms associated with emotional stress

A study of elderly spousal caregivers (age 66-96) found that caregivers who experience mental or emotional strain have a 63% higher risk of dying than non-caregivers

31% of those caring for persons 65+ describe their own physical health as “fair to poor”

Studies show that among caregivers, an estimated 46%-59% are clinically depressed

Approximately 49% of female caregivers and 31% of male caregivers experience depression as a result of caregiving