What is a Caregiver?

The definition of a caregiver varies somewhat depending on who is coming up with the definition.

Here are a few common ones.

* A person who is responsible for attending to the needs of a child or dependent adult.
* A health care professional, family member or friend who attends to the needs of a patient.
* The primary person in charge of caring for an individual with a disease or condition, usually a family member or a designated health care professional.

Caregiving is often one of the most important, demanding and stressful roles that a person may undertake in his or her lifetime.

Image Source: Cleveland Caregiver Handbook. A Guide for Individuals Who Care for Persons with Dementia.

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Who are the Caregivers?

About one in four American families or 22.4 million households care for someone over the age of 50.

The number of American households involved in caregiving may reach 39 million by 2007.

* About 75% of caregivers are women.
* Two-thirds of caregivers in the United States have jobs in addition to caring for another person.
* Most caregivers are middle-aged: 35-64 years old.

These statistics obviously do not include those caregivers caring for an infant or a child.

Source: National Women's Health Information Center. Caregiver Stress. WomensHealth.gov January 2006.

Image Source: National Caregivers Library.

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The Basics of Caregivers and Caregiving

Caregivers and Caregiving

A Caregiver is "a person who is responsible for attending to the needs of a child or dependent adult." Caregiving is the care provided for that person. Caregiving is often one of the most important, demanding and stressful roles that a per...

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