Caregiving

Our aging population makes family caregivers more important than ever. As Rosalynn Carter states: "There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers."

Caregiving Statistics:

• The estimated prevalence in the U.S. of persons caring for an adult is 16.6%, or 39.8 million Americans. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving in the U.S. 2015]
• More than 16 million adult family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. [Alzheimer's Association. 2019 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures]
• The economic value of services provided by informal caregivers was estimated at $470 billion for 2013. [AARP Public Policy Institute. Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update]

In 2000, Congress established the National Family Caregiver Support Program. For the first time, caregivers, rather than care receivers, became the targeted client group.

Caregiver Programs in Georgia:

Programs available for caregivers in Georgia include: information and assistance, adult day and adult day health care, legal assistance, nutrition services, respite care (including personal care and homemaker services), telephone counseling, and other supportive services.

All of Georgia's Area Agencies on Aging provide help to caregivers. To find the Area Agency on Aging that provides services where you reside, locate your AAA.

Information specialists at Georgia's Aging & Disability Resource Connection (1-866-552-4464)provide access to a variety of aging services, including caregiver programs. They are located in every Area Agency on Aging.

Caregiving Resources:

• Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving
• National Alliance for Caregiving
• National Institute on Aging - Caregiving
• AARP - Home and Family Caregiving
• Caregivers Action Network
• Dementia Resources
• Mental Health Resources