Families have always stepped in to provide care for family members, regardless of where they live. An increasing number of families find themselves in more intensive caregiving roles.

Why Is Family Caregiving Important?

Improved medical care and prevention efforts have contributed to dramatic increases in life expectancy in the United States over the past century. These changes also have produced a major shift in the leading causes of death for all age groups, including older adults, from infectious diseases and acute illnesses to chronic diseases and degenerative illnesses. Currently, about 80% of older Americans are living with at least one chronic condition. Medical practices, plus changes in Medicare reimbursement laws and private managed-care programs, see individuals being released from hospitals earlier and needing more care.

Family caregivers are learning to administer multiple medications and use equipment such as feeding tubes and respirators at home. Caregivers must also learn to navigate the health care system and become advocates for their loved ones. Sometimes families have difficulty managing caregiving responsiblities because families are smaller, separated by long distances and have work responsibilities, among other reasons.