More than 1/4 of the adult population has provided care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member, or friend during the past year.

Caregiving is no longer predominately a women’s issue – Men make up 44% of the caregiving population.

The value of the services family caregivers provide for free is estimated to be $196 billion a year.

Virtually 1/2 of the US population has a chronic condition – of these, 41 million were limited in their daily activities – 12 million are unable to go to school, to work, or to live independently.

People over 85 years of age are the fastest growing segment of the population – half of them need some help with personal care.

Elderly caregivers, with a history of chronic illness themselves who are experiencing caregiving related stress, have a 63% higher mortality rate than their non-caregiving peers.

The pool of family caregivers is dwindling – in 1990 there were 11 potential caregivers for each person needing care – in 2050 that ratio will be 4:1.

61% of intense family caregivers (those providing at least 21 hours of care a week) have suffered from depression.

Heavy-duty caregivers, especially spousal caregivers, do not get consistant help from other family members – one study has shown that as many as 3/4 of these caregivers are going it alone.

Approximately 80% of home care services are provided by family caregivers.

A recent study calculated that American businesses lose between $11 – 29 billion each year due to employees’ need to care for loved ones 50 years & older.

59% of the adult population either is or expects to be a family caregiver.

A new study estimates the value of unpaid caregiving for ailing adults at $200 billion – ($32 billion for home health care & $83 billion for nursing home care) and is roughly equivalent to 1/5 of the nation’s total annual health care costs.