Carter said she was surprised by the results of a recent study finding that about 25 percent of U.S. households have someone who is acting as a caregiver to a relative or friend. This means that as many as 25 million Americans are informal caregivers. Carter noted that more and more people are going to need some form of caregiving in the future as people live longer. Moreover, because of advances in medicine and technology, people are able to live longer with a chronic illness. People who become caregivers often take on the role unexpectedly and are unprepared for the emotional, financial, physical, and practical demands that follow.
Many caregivers experience severe anxiety and frustration.
In fact, it is estimated that 50 percent become clinically depressed. A study by the Rosalynn Carter Institute indicated that 35 percent of professional caregivers and 50 percent of family caregivers feel they are burning out. Carter's work with informal caregivers grew out of her previous work in the mental health field and her own experiences in dealing with ill family members. This led to the establishment of the Rosalynn Carter Institute in 1987 on the campus of Georgia Southwestern. We believe that the professional and family caregivers can work together to help each other on their caregiving roles and provide better help to those receiving care.