Who Needs Companionship Care?

1. An estimated 37.2 million people—12.4% of the population—are 65 and older.
2. The U.S. population age 65 and older is expected to more than double in the next 50 years, from 35 million in 2000 to 86.7 million in 2050.
3. The 85+ population is projected to double from 4.7 million in 2003 to 9.6 million in 2030—and double again to 20.9 million in 2050.
4. Almost half of all older women (43%) in 2005 were widows and about half lived alone.
5. The percentage of the older population divorced or separated increased from 5.3% in 1980 to 10.8% in 2005.
6. One in nine women age 75 or older, and one in five age 85 or older, needs assistance with daily activities.

Sources:
1. U.S. Census Bureau, online at http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2006/NC-EST2006-02.xls.
2. U.S. Census Bureau, online at http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/natprojtab02a.pdf.
3. Administration on Aging, “A Profile of Older Americans: 2003,” online at http://www.aoa.gov/prof/Statistics/profile/2003/2003profile.pdf.
4, 5. Administration on Aging, “A Profile of Older Americans: 2006,”online at http://www.aoa.gov/prof/Statistics/profile/2006/3.asp.
6. AARP Public Policy Institute, online at http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/trends/fs77r_ltc.html.

Who Provides Companionship Care?

1. An estimated 46 million adult Americans are providing care to an adult relative or friend. Combine that total with those Americans who have in the past provided unpaid care to an adult family member or friend and the number increases to 120 million adult Americans (57%).
2. Thinking ahead, 66% of the population—or more than 138 million Americans— believe they will need to provide care to someone in the future.
3. An estimated 56% of all caregivers are women.
4. One-fourth (27%) of caregivers are between the ages of 45 and 54 while 29% are 55- to 64-year-olds and 23% are age 65 and older.
5. More than a third of adult caregivers (37%) are caring for their aging mothers (29%) or fathers (8%).
6. Seventy percent of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias live at home, where they are cared for by family and friends.

Sources:
1-5. “Family Caregiving in America: Facts at a Glance (2006),” online at http://www.strengthforcaring.com/util/press/facts/facts-at-a-glance.html.
6. “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures 2007”, Alzheimer’s Association, online at http://www.alz.org/national/documents/Report_2007FactsAndFigures.pdf.