Facts on Family Caregiving

When considering providing care from within the family, you should consider some of the following facts as determined by Right at Home:

• Someone caring for a parent has been doing so for an average of 20 hours a week for four years.
• One in three adult caregivers is also raising a child under the age of 18.
• One in three adult caregivers is helping their family member get dressed or go to the bathroom.
• Nearly two-thirds of adult caregivers take time off during the workday, while 17 percent take a formal leave of absence and 10 percent take early retirement.
• About 70 percent of adult caregivers get help from family members, friends or neighbours.
• About 40 percent rely on help from paid caregivers.
• Someone caring for a spouse spends more than 30 hours a week directly caring for their loved one and is less likely to get help from relatives or friends.

About one quarter of all hospital admissions are due at least in part to the inability to take medication correctly.  See Medications: A Double Edged Sword