2015 Survey of Arizona Residents Age 45+: A Profile of Family Caregivers in Arizona

More than half of residents age 45 and older in Arizona (54%) are currently providing care to an adult loved one or have previously provided such care.

Typically, these family caregivers are women (57%), who are married (57%), have a median age of 61 years, have graduated from college (43%), and have household incomes of at least $30,000 (61%).  

Current and former caregivers provide a significant amount of care to their loved ones.  Most caregivers help their care recipient by providing help with activities of daily living.  Exactly half say they are responsible for bathing and dressing, and over six in ten are responsible for medical or nursing tasks.  

About six in ten current caregivers have been providing care to an adult loved one for less than five years; however, four in ten have been providing care for five years or more.  In fact, one in ten current caregivers have been providing care for 15 years or more.

Key findings include:

• Over half of residents age 45+ in Arizona are currently a family caregiver or have been in the past.
  
• Typically, family caregivers are women, who are married, about 61 years of age, and have graduated from college.
  
• Nearly two in three current or former caregivers admit to feeling stressed out emotionally due to their caregiving responsibilities.

AARP Arizona commissioned a telephone survey of 1,600 residents age 45 and older (800 statewide residents and 800 Phoenix residents). The purpose of the survey was to learn about their experiences with family caregiving.  Residents 45+ were interviewed September 24 through October 11, 2015. Data were weighted by age and gender and then by geography to reflect residents 45+ in Arizona. For more information contact Terri Guengerich at TGuengerich@aarp.org.