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 19.2%, or 47.9 million Americans. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving in the U.S. 2020]
- More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias. [Alzheimer's Association. 2024 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures]
- The economic value of services provided by informal caregivers was estimated at $600 billion for 2021. [AARP Public Policy Institute. Valuing the Invaluable: 2023 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.
The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers was created to support family caregivers of all ages, from youth to grandparents, and regardless of where they live or what caregiving looks like for them and their loved ones.
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: