Who are dementia caregivers? While they are from all walks of life and all different ages, they all have one thing in common: they are responsible for helping individuals with dementia to receive the best possible care in order to live a fulfilled and engaged life.

“The majority of caregivers are unpaid individuals who are related to the senior with dementia in some way, shape or form,” says Addie Ricci, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, located in Norwalk, CT. “For them, this truly is a labor of love. Many families may not have the financial resources to hire a formal caregiver, or they simply feel that no one can care for their loved one like they can.”

The CDC reports that “…people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are usually cared for by family members or friends. The majority (80%) of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are receiving care in their homes. Each year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.”

“Today’s caregiver is unique from other generations in that  more and more are from the ‘sandwich generation,’ meaning that they’re responsible for caring for aging loved ones as well as children under the age of 18,” says Addie. “As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, this sandwich generation will become more and more squished and will require even more assistance, understanding and support in order to help them care for their loved ones in the best possible way.”

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, there are approximately 45.4 million caregivers who are providing unpaid assistance to an adult or child. In 2015, 15.7 million of these caregivers are responsible for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. The economic value of the care provided by these caregivers was approximately $217.7 billion in 2014. Upwards of 75% of all caregivers are female, and the average age is fairly high – 69 years.

The Alzheimer’s Association® 2020 Facts and Figures Report provides a clearer picture as to exactly what today’s dementia caregiver looks like, as well as the services they provide. Here are some of the high-level statistics:

• Approximately two-thirds of dementia caregivers are women.
• About 30% of caregivers are age 65 or older.
• Over 60% of caregivers are married, living with a partner or in a long-term relationship.
• Over half of caregivers are providing assistance to a parent or in-law with dementia. Approximately 10% of caregivers provide help to a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
• Two-thirds of caregivers are non-Hispanic white, while 10% are black/African American, 8% are Hispanic/Latino and 5% are Asian. The remaining 10% represent a variety of other racial/ ethnic groups.
• Approximately 40% of dementia caregivers have a college degree or more education.
• Forty-one percent of caregivers have a household income of $50,000 or less.
• Among primary caregivers (individuals who indicate having the most responsibility for helping their relatives) of people with dementia, over half take care of their parents.
• Most caregivers (66%) live with the person with dementia in the community.
• Approximately one-quarter of dementia caregivers are “sandwich generation” caregivers – meaning that they care not only for an aging parent, but also for a child.

As you can see, the majority of those who care for someone with dementia are women. Over one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters, and it’s more common for wives to care for their husbands than vice versa. Female caregivers also spend, on average, more time caregiving than their male counterparts. It should be no surprise, then, that female caregivers experience higher rates of depression and impaired health than male caregivers. Of those caregivers who require individual counseling or respite care, 85% of them are women.

You Are Not Alone

“The biggest takeaway from looking at the statistics that surround dementia caregivers is that you are not alone,” says Addie. “Feeling isolated and alone are very common among caregivers, and it can be easy to feel like there’s no one who understands you. But as you can see, there are many others who have been or who are currently in your position.”

It also helps to know that, because there are so many others in the same position, there are also many opportunities to get help, advice and support. “Caregivers these days have so many more resources than they did in the past, and we know so much more about dementia than ever before,” says Addie. “At Bridges by EPOCH at Norwalk, not only do we focus on providing exceptional care for those who call us home, but we also provide support to caregivers in our community. Even if your loved one is not a resident with us, we are here for you with a variety of support resources, virtual education opportunities and more. We understand better than most what you’re facing, and it is our honor to help you and your loved one navigate this journey together with grace, dignity and caring.”

Expert, Life-Enriching Memory Care

Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community promotes a wellness-focused lifestyle that emphasizes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized, ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents.

Inspiring Programs for All Stages

Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk’s services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide personalized attention and programming for residents in every stage of memory loss.

Purposeful Community Design

Within a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides everything residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel at home.

Contact us today to learn more.