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