Your Care

Solutions To Your Caregiving Situations Throughout Your Caregiving Years

A Synopsis 2004 Family Caregiver Survey Results We reguarly survey visitors to our web site about their experiences as a family caregiver. Throughout 2004, 62 family caregivers completed our survey. What follows is a synopsis of the survey, which asks about demographics, community service utilization, support group utilization, Internet utilization, employment status and challenges, and the best/worst parts of the experience. Who the family caregivers are: --89% of respondents were female. --63% are between the ages of 35 and 60 --63% have been a caregiver for more than two years (11% have been providing care for more than 10 years) --36% expect their role to last at least another five years --64% of respondents live with their care recipients. --53% provide care more than 40 hours per week; 7% provide care between 20 and 40 hours per week; 21% between 10 and 20 hours. --67% of respondents care for a parent; 20% care for a spouse. --51% of those receiving care are between 80 and 90 years of age. 67% of those who receive care are female. We asked respondents the following questions: Which services do you use in your community? The most oft-used services were: 1. Support groups 1. Home health agencies (tie) 2. Caregiver conferences, seminars or workshops 40% of respondents use community services three or more times per week. How did you hear about the services that you use? The top referral source was tie between a family member or friend and the physician, followed by a healthcare professional. 66% respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the services in their areas, down from a high last year of 75%. Which organizations would family caregivers like to see more of? Caregiver conferences was the No. 1 choice, followed closely by support groups and then transportation services. Do you use the Internet? How often and for what purposes? 89% use the Internet; 80% of that number use the Internet daily; 12% weekly and 8% whenever they can. The most oft reason for using the Internet is to learn about a care recipient’s illness or disease. The second top reason is to take a break from caregiving; the third, to receive support from other family caregivers and health care professionals. What is the most difficult part of caregiving? This year we had a clear—and repeat--winner in terms of caregiver challenges: Finding time to socialize with family and friends; followed by finding affordable help, getting other relatives to help and the hands-on care (a three-way tie for second). Who has been most helpful to you? Family and friends were by far the No. 1 response--again. Support group was second, followed by home health agency staff. Have you remodeled your home or their care recipient's home in order to provide care? 82% of respondents indicated that they had. Purchase the Survey Results Our 2004 Survey Results are available in the form of a report. The report includes analysis, a comparison of the results in 2004 to those in 1996 (the survey's first year), as well as comments from family caregivers about their experiences in the community and with health care professionals. In addition, the report contains answers to additional questions about expenditures, home remodeling, support group utilization, and employment support services. The report is available for $16.95. Item Name: 2004 Family Caregiver Survey Report Price: $16.95     Read the comments of family caregivers: What advice would you give to a new caregiver? What life lesson have you learned as a result of caregiving? Read a synopsis of our 2000 Survey Results 2001 Survey Results 2002 Survey Results 2003 Survey. Tell a friend about this article:

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