The UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging shares the misconceptions its specialists encounter most and explains the reality behind them.

MYTH: Adult daughters/women are by far the most common primary caregivers.

FACT: Currently, there are more than 53 million caregivers in the U.S. About 61% of family caregivers are women, but 39% of the other care is being delivered by men. From 2015 to 2020, we have seen a 6% increase in Americans caring for one or more persons.

MYTH: Getting support is too difficult.

FACT: Many caregivers find it difficult to coordinate care, find resources and manage their own health. However, many caregivers receive assistance. Support is always available via helplines, peer support groups, training courses, education, outreach workshops, in-home/facility-based care services, respite care, counseling, financial assistance, online resources and social services.

MYTH: Caregivers don’t make money.

FACT: Currently, 61% of family caregivers work full-time while providing care to a loved one. While 45% of these caregivers state they have felt a financial impact from being a family caregiver, their employers often provide little or no resources for family caregivers. Family caregivers stated they would change jobs to work at companies that provide family caregiver resources and support.
However, paid caregivers do earn a good wage. They also have good insurance and employee benefits associated with specific agencies.

Learn more at aging.uams.edu. Select info sourced from The National Alliance for Caregiving.