More than 1 in 4 middle-aged Americans are now caregivers About 66% are caring for a senior People most frequently needed caregiving for a physical disability or mobility problem WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- More than 1 in 4 Americans 50 or older are now caregivers, looking after at least one family member or friend who has a health problem or disability, a new poll has found. In all, 30% of all people in their 50s and early 60s provide care to at least one person, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found.
By comparison, only 23% of people over 65 are caregivers, results show. The poll also found that 1 in 10 caregivers in their 50s and early 60s are juggling the care of three or more people. “Nationwide, these data confirm that caregiving for family and friends who have health challenges falls unevenly on people in their 50s and early 60s, and women,” said , a University of Michigan demographer who worked with the poll team on the new survey.
About 32% of women aged 50 or older are caregivers, compared with 22% of men in the same age group, the poll found. The poll also provided more information about who needs all this care. About 23% of caregivers are looking after someone with an intellectual or developmental disability, while 66% are caring for a senior with a health problem or disability.
The most common health concern that required caregiving was a physical disability or mobility problem, affecting 59% of those needing care. Th.