Informal caregivers are individuals who provide unpaid assistance to elderly loved ones. Informal caregivers tend to be female, about 57 years of age, and live in the same household as the care recipient. Between 30 percent to 55 percent of informal caregivers of loved ones are employed. Approximately one-third of the caregiving population have incomes in the poor or near poor category. The majority of older adults in America are in relatively good health and live independently.
Informal caregivers are individuals who provide unpaid assistance to elderly loved ones.
In the other, she heard her daughter's tired voice pleading for help because her two small children were sick. Mrs. T. lives on a farm in northeastern Colorado. Two sisters and a brother live in Sterling and also share responsibilities. He had been caring for his wife since she was stricken with Alzheimer's Disease eight years before and apparently could no longer cope with the pressure. These cases highlight the fact that there is a great deal of variety in the characteristics of the estimated 5 to 7 million individuals caring for loved ones in a family setting.