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AARP Caregiver Study
AARP
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| | IDENTIFY SELF AS CAREGIVER | ||||
| Yes | No | ||||
| ENGAGE IN CAREGIVING ACTIVITY | Yes | Self-identified caregivers | Actual caregivers | ||
| No | Questionable caregivers | Non-caregivers | |||
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001
Incidence of Caregivers
About one-third of the respondents (34%) are currently caregivers or have been caregivers within the past year (i.e. currently provide or have provided in the last year the kind of help described in the caregiver aided question). Of these caregivers, about one in five (19%) think of themselves as caregivers (Self-identified caregivers) and fifteen percent do not identify themselves as caregivers (Actual caregivers).
One in ten respondents consider themselves as caregivers but do not provide the help described in the unaided question (Questionable caregivers).
Over one-half of the respondents (56%) are Non-caregivers and do not consider themselves as caregivers nor do they provide the kind of help described in the aided question (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Distribution of Types of Caregiver
(n = 4,037)
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.'
Profiles of Caregiver Groups
Self-identified and Actual caregivers are more likely to care for a person who is 50 years of age or older (49% care recipients age 50+ & 37% care recipients age 50+ vs. 37% care recipients age <50 & 29% care recipients age <50, respectively) and Questionable caregivers are more likely to provide care to someone who is younger than 50 years of age (14% care recipients age 50+ vs. 34% care recipients age <50).
Self-identified caregivers are more likely to be female (22% female vs. 16% male) and have household incomes of less than $30,000 (23% <$30,000 vs. 17% $30,000+).
Actual caregivers are more likely to have higher household incomes (17% $30,000+ vs. 12% <$30,000).
Non-caregivers are more likely to be male (60% male vs. 53% female).
In terms of racial or ethnic group differences, Questionable caregivers are more likely to be African-American (15%) than White respondents (10%). Non-caregivers are more likely to be White respondents (59%) than African-American respondents (47%). There are no racial or ethnic differences between Self-identified and Actual caregivers.
There are no significant differences between the caregiver groups based on the age of the respondent (age 18-49 vs. 50+) or employment status (employed vs. non-employed).
(See Figures 3 through 6.) AARP
Figure 3
Caregiver Status by Age of Care Recipient
(n=1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1 Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e., identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
*Indicates significant differences at the .05 level.
Figure 4
Caregiver Status by Gender
(n=4,037)
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
*Indicates significant differences at the .05 level.
Figure 5
Caregiver Status by Income
(n=4,037)
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001
*Indicates significant differences at the .05 level.
Figure 6
Caregiver Status by Race or Ethic Group
(n=4,037)
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
*Indicates significant differences at the .05 level.
FINDINGS
RESPONDENTS WHO ANSWERED “YES” TO
UNAIDED AND/OR AIDED CAREGIVING QUESTIONS
Caregiving-related activities
Respondents who answered “yes” to the unaided or aided caregiver questions (i.e., Self -identified, Actual or Questionable caregivers) were asked if they ever had done some activities caregivers are typically involved with. The largest number of respondents (i.e., Self-identified, Actual, or Questionable caregivers) have talked informally to friends or family about caring for their relative or friend (66%). However, only about one-third of the respondents in all caregiver categories (34%) have asked a friend, relative, or neighbor for help with caring for their friend or relative. Over one-quarter of the respondents (27%) have arranged for services from local organizations or government agencies, for a relative or friend they are caring for.
Forty-five percent of the respondents in all caregivers categories have read brochures, articles or books about caregiving and 15 percent have used a website to look for information about caregiving. About twice as many respondents have talked with healthcare professionals about the friend or relative they are caring for (49%) than talked with healthcare professionals about the impact of caregiving on their own health or well being (27%). Almost one-quarter of employed respondents discussed caregiving responsibilities with their supervisor at work (23%).
About one in ten respondents have joined an organization or support group for caregivers (11%) or contacted an elected official about caregiving issues (9%) (Figure 7).
Age
Although 65 percent of both younger (18-49) and older (50+) respondents in all caregiver categories have talked informally to friends or family, younger respondents were more likely to have asked a friend, relative or neighbor for help with caring for their relative or friend (37% age <50 vs. 28% age 50±).
Older respondents are more likely than younger respondents to have read brochures, articles, or books about caregiving (51% age 50±vs. 42% age <50), while younger respondents are more likely to have used the website to look for information (18% age <50+ vs. 8% age 50±).
Older respondents are more likely than younger respondents to have arranged for local services (30% age 50± vs. 24% age <50) and to have talked with health care professionals both about the person they are caring for (54% age 50± vs. 45% age <50) and the impact of caregiving on their own health (30% age 50± vs. 24% age <50) (Figure 8).
Age of Care Recipient
Respondents in all caregiving categories who care for or have cared for relatives or friends who are age 50 and older are more likely than respondents who are caring for someone under 50 to have talked informally to friends or family (70% care recipient 50± vs. 61% care recipient <50) and to have talked with health professionals about the person they care for (53% care recipient 50± vs. 45% care recipient <50). Respondents who care for friends or relatives younger than 50 years of age are more likely to have used the website (18% care recipient <50 vs. 13% care recipient 50±), joined a caregiver organization (14% care recipient <50 vs. 10% care recipient 50±), or contacted an elected official about caregiving (13% care recipient < 50 vs. 7% care recipient 50±) (Figure 9).
Gender
Females are more likely than males in all caregiving categories to have informally talked to friends or family (69% females vs. 62% males), talked with health professionals about the person they are caring for (55% females vs. 41% males) or about the impact of caregiving on their own health (29% females vs. 24% males), and discussed caregiving issues with a supervisor (29% females vs. 18% males). More females than males also read brochures, articles or books about caregiving (50% females vs. 39% males) and arranged for local services for the person they care for (29% females vs. 23% males). Males are more likely than females to have joined a caregiver organization or support group (13% males vs. 9% females) (Figure 10).
Employment
Employed respondents in all caregiving categories are more likely than not employed respondents to have talked informally about caregiving (69% employed vs. 60% not employed) and asked for help with caregiving (37% employed vs. 28% not employed). More employed than non-employed respondents have used the website to look for information (18% employed vs. 8% non-employed) (Figure 11).
Race and Ethnicity
White or Hispanic respondents are more likely than African-American respondents to have talked informally about caregiving (68% White & 69% Hispanic vs. 52% African-American), arranged for local services (28% White & 27% Hispanic vs. 15% African-American), discussed caregiving with supervisor (24% White & 30% Hispanic vs. 14% African-American), or contacted elected official (9% White & 13% Hispanic vs. 3% African American). White respondents are more likely than both African-American or Hispanic respondents to have talked with health professionals about the person caring for (52% White vs. 38% African-American & 37% Hispanic) (Figure 12).
Annual Household Income
Respondents whose annual household income are $30,000 and higher are more likely than respondents with household incomes less than $30,000, to have talked informally to friends or family about caregiving (72% $30k±vs. 61% < $30k) and to have used a website to look for information (19% $30k± vs. 11% < $30k) (Figure 13).
Types of Caregivers
There are significantly more Self-identified caregivers than Actual or Questionable caregivers who have performed a caregiving activity presented in a list of possible activities (Figure 14).
Figure 7
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed
(n=1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1 Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e., identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)?
Figure 8
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed by Caregiver’s Age
(n=1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001
1Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregiver questions (i.e., identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
* Indicates significant differences at the 0.5 level.
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)?
Figure 9
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed by Age of Care Recipient
(n=1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e., identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
* Indicates significant differences at the 0.5 level.
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)
Figure 10
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed by Gender (n=1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1 Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e., identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
* Indicates significant differences at the 0.5 level.
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)?
Figure 11
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed by Caregiver’s Employment Status
(n= 1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e., identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
* Indicates significant differences at the 0.5 level.
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)?
Figure 12
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed by Caregivers’ Race and Ethnicity
(n= 1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1 Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e.,
identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
* Indicates significant differences at the 0.5 level.
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)?
Figure 13
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed by Caregivers’ Annual Household Income
(n= 1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e.,
identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
* Indicates significant differences at the 0.5 level.
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)?
Figure 14
Caregiving Activities Ever Performed by Caregiving Status
(n=1,714)1
Source: AARP Caregiver Identification Study, February 2001.
1 Base: Respondents who answered yes to unaided and/or aided caregivers questions (i.e., identified as caregivers and/or engaged in caregiving activities).
* Indicates significant differences at the 0.5 level.
** Base for this question only: currently employed full or part-time (n=1190).
Question: Have you ever . . . (READ STATEMENTS)?
FINDINGS TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Demographic Profile
The median age of respondents is 45 years and almost seven in ten are currently employed
either full-time (58%) or part-time (11%). The respondents are equally divided between males (50%) and females (50%) and about half are currently married (54%).
|
Total Respondents Age |
(n=4,037) |
|
18-29 30-49 50 – 64 65+ Refused/Don’t know Mean |
20% 42 20 15 3 45 years |
|
Gender | |
|
Male |
50% 50 |
|
Income | |
|
Under $15K $15K - $24.9K $25K - $39.9K $40K - $74.9K $75K and over Refused/Don’t know |
10% 11 18 26 16 14 |
|
Marital Status | |
|
Now Married Never Married Divorced/Widowed/ Separated
Not married living with partner
Refused |
54% 20 20
6
1 |
|
Respondent Employment | |
|
Full Time Part Time Not Employed |
58% 11 30 |
|
Race and ethnicity | |
|
White African-American Other (not Hispanic) Refused Hispanic |
82% 9 6 3 6 |
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
About one-third of the U.S. population age 18 and older currently provide caregiving assistance or have provided some kind of caregiving assistance in the past year. Nationally, this represents about 65,000,000 people age 18 and older.
An effective way to reach caregivers through articles and publications is to use both the term caregiver and a definition of what caregivers are. This approach will get the attention of a target audience of caregivers who correctly identify themselves as caregivers (19%) and who are caregivers but do not think of themselves as caregivers (15%).
Another effective method of reaching caregivers is to develop articles about caregiving issues for the popular media that target older women (age 50+) because they are the most likely group to read brochures and articles about caregiving. These caregiving articles could be placed in health professionals’ offices because older women are also the group who are most likely to have talked to health professionals about the person they are caring for.
Finally, employers could help caregivers by providing: (1) opportunities for informal discussions about caregiving, (2) information about caregiving issues, and (3) resources including online sources of information. These methods are suggested since employed caregivers are more likely to have talked informally with family and friends about caring for their friend or relative, are more likely to have asked for help with caregiving and are more likely to have used a web site to look for information than have non-employed caregivers.
AARP
Appendix
Annotated Questionnaire
ICR - I N T E R N A T I O N A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S R E S E A R C H
605 West State Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2620
AARP Caregiver Identity Questions
Topline Report
This study was conducted by telephone on four waves of Excel from November 1 – November 14, 2000 among a nationally representative sample of 4,037 adults, age 18 and older. Fieldwork by ICR/International Communications Research of Media, PA
CG-1. Are you currently or have you been in the last year a caregiver for a
family member or friend?
Base: 4,037
| Yes | No | Refused | |
| 11/14/00 | 29% | 70% | 1% |
CG-2. What do you think about when you hear the term caregiver?
Base: 4,037
CG-3. Do you currently provide or have you provided in the last year unpaid
help to a relative or friend who has a disability or chronic disease? This
kind of help includes assistance with health or personal needs or household
chores. It might be taking care of finances, arranging for outside
services, or visiting regularly to see how they are doing. The relative or
friend you are helping may be someone who lives with you or somewhere else
including in another city.
Do you currently provide or have you provided in the last year this kind of
unpaid help to a relative or friend?
Base: 4,037
| Yes | No | Refused | |
| 11/14/00 | 33% | 66% | 1% |
CG-1/3 Summary Table
| Questionable | Actual | Self-Identified | Non-Caregivers | |
| 11/14/00 | 10% | 15% | 19% | 56% |
Note:
Questionable Caregivers = “Yes” to CG-1 and “No, DK, Ref” to CG-3
Actual Caregivers = “No, DK, Ref” to CG-1 and “Yes” to CG-3
Self-Identified Caregivers = “Yes” to CG-1 and “Yes” to CG-3
Non-caregivers = “No, DK, Ref” to CG-1 and “No, DK, Ref” to CG-3
CG-4. What is the age of the person you help out? Is he or she younger than 21
years of age, between 21 and 49 years of age, or age 50 or older? (Interviewer Note: If you provide care for more than one person, please focus on the person for whom you provide the most assistance.)
Base: 1,714
| Younger than 21 | Between 21 and 49 | 50 or older | Don't Know | Refused | |
| 11/14/00 | 16% | 20% | 61% | 2% | 1% |
CG-5. Have you ever (READ)...?
Base: 1,714
| 11/14/00 | Yes | No | Don't Know | Refused |
| A. Talked informally to friends or family about caring for your relative or friend? | 66% | 31% | 1% | 1% |
| B. Joined an organization or support group for caregivers? | 11 | 86 | 2 | 1 |
| C. Read brochures, articles or books about caregiving? | 45 | 52 | 2 | 1 |
| D. Asked a relative, friend, or neighbor for help with caring for your relative or friend? | 34 | 63 | 1 | 1 |
| E. Used a website to look for information about caregiving? | 15 | 82 | 2 | 1 |
| F. Arranged for services from local organizations or government agencies for your relative or friend you are caring for? | 27 | 71 | 1 | 2 |
| G. Discussed caregiving responsibilities with your supervisor at work? | 23 | 74 | 1 | 1 |
| H. Talked with healthcare professionals about the friend or relative you are caring for? | 49 | 48 | 1 | 1 |
| I. Contacted an elected official about caregiving issues? | 9 | 88 | 2 | 1 |
| J. Talked with healthcare professionals about the impact of caregiving on your own health and well-being? | 27 | 70 | 2 | 1 |
AR-1 Are you, or is your spouse, a member of AARP?
Base: 722 (Asked of 50+ respondents starting on 11/10/00)
| Yes | No | Don't Know | Refused | |
| 11/14/00 | 45% | 52% | 1% | 2% |
Z-1 Are you...?
Base: 4,037
| 11/14/00 | |
|
Married Single, that is never married Single, living with a partner Separated Widowed Divorced Refused |
54% 20 6 2 7 20 1 |
Z-2 Currently, are you yourself employed full-time, part-time, or not employed?
Base:4,037
| 11/14/00 | |
|
Full-time Part-Time Not employed Refused |
58% 11 30 1 |
Z-3 What is the last grade of school you completed?
Base:4,037
| 11/14/00 | |
|
Less than high school graduate High school graduate Some college Graduate college Graduate college or more Technical school/other Refused
|
8% 31 24 23 10 2 2 |
Z-4 What is your total annual household income? Is it . . .
Base: 4,037
| 11/14/00 | |
|
Less than $10,000 $10,000 but less than $15,000 $15,000 but less than $20,000 $20,000 but less than $25,000 $25,000 but less than $30,000 $30,000 but less than $40,000 $40,000 but less than $50,000 $50,000 but less than $75,000 $75,000 but less than $100,000 $100,000 or more $25,000 and over Under $25,000 Don’t know Refused |
5% 5 5 6 7 11 10 16 8 8 4 1 3 11 |
Z-5 Are you of Hispanic origin or background?
Z-5a Are you White Hispanic or Black Hispanic?
Z-6. Which you consider yourself to be White, Black, or Other?
Summary of Race and ethnicity
Base: 4,037
| 11/14/00 | |
|
White (Net) Non-Hispanic Hispanic Black (Net) Non-Hispanic Hispanic Other race Refused Hispanic (Net) White Black Unspecified
|
82% 78 4 9 8 1 6 3 6 4 1 1 |
Z-6 Enter sex of respondent
Base: 4,037
| 11/14/00 | |
|
Male Female |
50% 50 |
Z-7 Enter age of respondent
Base: 4,037
| 11/14/00 | |
|
18-29 30-49 50 – 64 65+ Refused/Don’t know Mean |
20% 42 20 15 3 45 years |
Notes
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