Staying the course: Trends in family caregiving (2005)

Using 1994 and 1999 data from the National Long-Term Care Survey, this report examines trends in disability and formal (paid) and informal (unpaid) care among persons age 65 or older with disabilities since the mid-1980s, as well as characteristics of all older persons with disabilities, their care arrangements, and their family caregivers in 1994 and 1999. The study found that family caregivers continue to provide the vast majority of the long-term care. Between 1994 and 1999, the number of spouses and children providing care to older persons increased while the use of formal care by these individuals declined. The proportion relying solely on family care increased dramatically over the same period. Family members were caring for persons with higher levels of disability in 1999 than in 1994, and both family caregivers and care recipients were older.

Organization: AARP Public Policy Institute

Citation Spillman, B.C., & Black, K.J. (2005, November). Staying the course: Trends in family caregiving (Issue Paper#2005-17). Washington, DC: AARP Public Policy Institute. http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/trends/2005_17_caregiving.html Accessed December 18, 2008

Date November 2005