• Of these caregiver that received some level of services through the formal services network:

• 72% were female
• 48% were younger than 65; 52% were 65 and older
• 40% lived in rural areas
• 25% were persons with low income
• 35% were daughters or daughters-in-law
• 30% were spouses
• 23% were part of a minority group by race or ethnicity
• 75% provided daily hands-on care to their care receivers
• 57% lived with the individuals they cared for
• 35% traveled up to one hour to provide care
• 24% were employed full or part time
• 75% have been a caregiver for more than one year
• 50% have been a caregiver for three or more years

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• It is estimated that nationally 80% of all in-home care is provided by family members.
• 1 out of 5 caregivers in the U.S. are caring for someone who has a form of dementia (Alzheimer's Association & National Alliance for Caregiving.)
• In Michigan, there are 1.3 million caregivers providing 1.4 billion hours of unpaid care annually to adults with care needs and disabilities with an economic value of over $13 billion per year. (National Center on Caregiving Fact Sheet.)
• The average age of all caregivers in the U.S. is 47. (National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.)
• A 25-year body of research shows that family caregivers are at risk for a wide range of problems in health and mental health, finances, employment, and retirement. For instance, a recent study found that one-third of family caregivers of people with dementia were depressed. (Preventing Chronic Disease, 2008 5-1.)

Resources for Caregivers:

• Michigan Dementia Coalition, 517-324-7318
• Family Caregiver Alliance, 1-800-445-8106
• National Family Caregivers Association, 1-800-896-3650
• Well Spouse Foundation, 1-800-838-0879
• The Alzheimer's Association, 1-800-272-3900
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 1-800-633-4227
• The Information Source for Adult Day Care, 919-552-0254
• Met Life: Hiring an Independent Caregiver, 1-800-638-5433
• Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116