As we age, it is important to keep mentally active. Let’s have a little fun and mental exercise, two components that should be included in every caregiver’s daily schedule. Grab a scrap of paper, number it from 1 to 12, and answer the following statements “true” or “false.” See how many you can answer correctly without peeking at the answers (below).

1. Almost 30% of the adult U.S. population are currently caregivers.
2. Services provided by family caregivers had an estimated value of $450 in 2009.
3. More men than women are caregivers.
4. The task caregivers consider most difficult is medication administration.
5. The average age of caregivers is 48 years.
6. Currently more than half of care receivers are 75 years or older.
7. Caregivers for an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient provide care for a longer period when compared to that of patients with other illnesses.
8. Almost half of all caregivers report having had training to help them perform well in their role.
9. The main concern of most caregivers is managing their own stress.
10. The majority of caregiving is for a parent.
11. The average duration of a caregiver’s role is 4.6 years.
12. Family caregivers are the foundation of long-term care and provide the best care available!

Answers:

1. True. Approximately 65 million people care for someone who is ill, disabled or elderly.
2. True. Valued at $450 billion per year in 2009, the value of unpaid family caregivers will likely continue to be the largest source of long-term care services in the U.S
3. False. Almost 66% of caregivers are female.
4. False. According to one study, caregivers tasks rated in order of difficulty were incontinence care, wound care, and medication administration.
5. True. While many senior citizens serve as caregivers, just over half are between the ages of 18 and 49, and the average age is 48 years.
6. False. Fifty-six percent of current care receivers are under age 75.
7. True. Thirty-two percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers provide care for five years or longer compared to 28% for other illnesses.
8. False. Less than one in five caregivers report having had training.
9. False. The main concern of caregivers is keeping their loved one safe (37%); managing their own stress comes in second at 34%.
10. True. Thirty-six percent of care is for a parent, 26% for a mother and 10% for a father.
11. True. The average duration for providing care is 4.6 years. About one-third of caregivers provide care for less than a year; about 15% for ten or more years.
12. True. I did not have to refer to an expert source for this answer. Through the years I have observed over and over the valuable, skilled, and compassionate care provided by family members for their loved ones. Keep up the good work!

*Statistics in quiz taken from Family Caregiving Alliance website.