Adult caregivers in the United States: characteristics and differences in well-being, by caregiver age and caregiving status.

We examined the characteristics of adults providing regular care or assistance to friends or family members who have health problems, long-term illnesses, or disabilities (ie, caregivers). We used data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine caregiver characteristics, by age and caregiving status, and compare these characteristics with those of noncaregivers. Approximately 24.7% (95% confidence interval, 24.4%-25.0%) of respondents were caregivers. Compared with younger caregivers, older caregivers reported more fair or poor health and physical distress but more satisfaction with life and lower mental distress. Understanding the characteristics of caregivers can help enhance strategies that support their role in providing long-term care.

Supportive care needs of Americans: a major issue for women as both recipients and providers.

In 2004, there were approximately 44 million men and women in the United States who were providing unpaid care to a family member, friend, or neighbor; these caregivers represented an estimated 22.9 million households (21% of all U.S. households). The 1-year economic value of this unpaid labor force was recently estimated to be 306 billion dollars. Caregiving is an important issue for women, as they represent 61% of those providing care and 65% of those receiving care. Women caregivers tend to fare worse than men, reporting higher levels of symptoms tied to depression and anxiety and lower levels of subjective well-being, life satisfaction, and physical health. In addition, the care that women provide is not without cost to them in terms of their financial future. Still, despite the burden, most caregivers consider providing care to family and friends a rewarding experience.

Framing the public health of caregiving.

Caregiving has only recently been acknowledged by the nation as an important topic for millions of Americans. A psychological or sociological approach to care-giving services has been most often applied, with little attention to the population-based public health outcomes of caregivers. We conceptualize caregiving as an emerging public health issue involving complex and fluctuating roles. We contend that caregiving must be considered in the context of life span needs that vary according to the ages, developmental levels, mental health needs, and physical health demands of both caregivers and care recipients.

A commitment to professional caregivers: the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development.

When the term caregiver is used, one most often thinks about family caregivers and other informal providers of assistance to impaired individuals. The Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) is the only national institute or center to take a different approach to addressing the needs of the nation's caregivers and caregiving teams. The universal psychosocial difficulties and shared rewards associated with all types of caregiving shape the research, education, and advocacy agendas of the RCI, founded in honor of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. This article provides an introduction to the work of the RCI that may be of interest to gerontologic nurse caregivers.