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Who Are Caregivers?
A 2020 report from AARP highlights that on average, caregivers spend 23.7 hours per week providing care. While this may be the average, each caregiver’s experience is unique and may change over time. Many people spend time caring for a loved one, but don't recognize themselves as being a “caregiver.”
A caregiver can be:
- Older adults taking care of their spouses.
- Children or grandchildren taking care of their parents or grandparents.
- Neighbors or friends taking care of an older adult living down the street.
- Grandparents taking care of grandchildren.
Anyone caring for someone else.
Family caregiving is very common; according to AARP, in 2020, 1 in 5 Americans were caregivers. Some caregivers live with or near to the person for whom they provide care; other caregivers may be living in another city or state.
What Does a Caregiver Do?
Caregivers provide a variety of supports to a family member, friend or neighbor which could include:
- Driving an older adult to medical appointments or picking up medications.
- Going to the grocery store or shopping for an older adult.
- Supporting an older adult financially, helping to pay bills or manage finances.
- Assisting with household tasks like mowing the lawn or cleaning the home.
- Providing companionship or emotionally supporting an older adult.
- Assisting with bathing, dressing and feeding.
- Providing more intensive, around-the-clock care.
- Other activities to support an older adult’s independence and well-being.
