Rosalyn Carter said it best: “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”. Caregivers are needed for family members of all ages. With appropriate information and support, family caregivers can help their loved ones across the lifespan.
So, who are family caregivers …
It's a complicated question and answers may vary depending upon whom you ask. Physicians may give an
answer different from social workers and researchers may undoubtedly quote statistics. However, if you
really want to know who America's family caregivers are, you need to ask them directly.
America's family caregivers are family, friends, partners, and neighbors. To better understand the
experience and the meaning of being a family caregiver go to The National Family Caregiver Story
Project. The NFCA Story Project is a collection of first-person accounts by family caregivers. It is
the gateway to becoming part of a growing group of family caregivers who have reached out to share their
thoughts, feelings and find solace in the words of others. As you read the stories of America's family
caregivers you may find yourself nodding in recognition and find the answers to Who are America's
Caregivers?
Research and Statistics:
NFCA Research and Reports have focused largely, but not exclusively, on those family caregivers who
provide significant levels of care. One aspect of our research has sought to better understand how to
communicate effectively with family caregivers, since so many are uncomfortable with calling themselves
anything other than a spouse, a parent, or a loving adult child.
There is an extensive body of family caregiver research available on many different aspects of the
caregiving experience. You can find out more about the financial, physical and emotional impact of
family caregiving as well as information on family caregivers at work and in the healthcare system
in the Caregiver Statistics section of this site.
Suzanne Mintz on YouTube
Listen to Suzanne Mintz, president of NFCA, talk about family caregivers.
Click here for the video on YouTube.
Suzanne Mintz on Women's Radio.com November 2007
Listen to Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of NFCA, talk about family caregivers. Click here for the radio interview.
