Statistics on Caregivers in Ohio

Caregivers are the unsung heroes 

Providing care and assistance to family members of all ages, caregivers are both the invisible yet indispensable backbone of the health care and long-term care system.

 (From the Family Caregiver Alliance and AARP):

• Almost two million (1,990,000) Ohioans are caregivers, whose caregiving is valued at $9.92 per hour, making the estimated economic value of caregiving in the state $14.2 billion.
• The estimated economic value of caregiving in Ohio is about 20 percent more than the state's total Medicaid spending, and about 10 times as much as the state currently spends on home- and community-based care.
• 34 million Americans (16 percent of the population) provide care to adults age 50 and older.
• 8.9 million caregivers (20 percent of adult caregivers) care for someone age 50 and older who has dementia.
• The majority of caregivers are 35-64 years old.
• Many caregivers of older people also are elderly. Of those caring for someone over 65, the average age is 63 years; one-third are in fair to poor health.
• A significant portion of those in the workforce also are providing elder care to family members. Between 25 and 35 percent of all workers report that they are currently providing or have recently provided care to someone 65 or older.
• Among baby boomer caregivers (aged 50-64 years old), an estimated 60 percent are currently employed.
• Caregivers are often unaware of the availability of support services. As many as one in four has unmet needs, only nine percent used respite services and only 11 percent participated in support groups. (Alzheimer's Association and National Alliance for Caregiving)
• More than 90 percent of caregivers who see themselves as such proactively seek resources and skills to assist their loved ones. (National Family Caregivers Association)

Brethren Home Community Services will be opening the doors to the Shuff Adult Day Center, located on their campus, the middle of March 2010. The newly-renovated space is handicap accessible and will be open 5 days a week to provide adult day services to adults in need and to provide respite care  for caregivers. 

For more information call 937-547-7600