Caregiving
Women now give about seven years of their lives to caring for older relatives, three more than men
A University of Michigan study finds women's lifetime caregiving rose by a year since 2011 while men's stayed flat. Daughters, granddaughters and nieces carry most of the load for parents and extended family.
Key facts
- U-M researchers say U.S. women can expect about 7 years of caregiving for older relatives and friends; men about 4.
- Women's figure rose by a year since 2011; men's held steady.
- Spousal care is equal; the gap is in caring for parents, grandparents and extended family.
What happened
University of Michigan researchers reported on October 21 that women in the U.S. can expect to spend about 7.1 years of their lives helping an older relative or friend, up from about six years in 2011. Men can expect about 4.2 years, nearly unchanged. The study, by Vicki Freedman and Crystal Yee To Ng, appears in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B.
The gap does not apply to caring for a spouse or partner: men and women each average about 1.5 years. But women can expect more than a year more of care for a parent, several more months for a grandparent, and over a year more for extended family and friends. Women spend more years on every type of help measured, from bathing and dressing to rides and medical tasks.
The researchers analyzed nearly 8,500 responses to the National Study of Caregiving. They note family caregivers for adults 65+ grew from 18 million in 2011 to more than 24 million, while more older adults now have no close kin.
What it means for families
These are averages if today's patterns hold, not a forecast for any one person. But for many families the message is familiar: one daughter often ends up as the default caregiver, sometimes for years, alongside a job and her own family. Picture a woman driving her father to appointments twice a week: without a plan to share the work, it can quietly become her second job. Talking early about who does what, and when to bring in paid help, protects both the parent and the caregiver.
New York caregivers can get respite, training and counseling through county Offices for the Aging and NY Connects (1-800-342-9871).
What to do this week
- Hold a family meeting to split specific tasks (rides, bills, medications, visits) instead of defaulting to one person.
- Ask the caregiver's employer about family leave; New York Paid Family Leave covers caring for a family member with a serious health condition.
- Call NY Connects or your county Office for the Aging to ask about respite care.
Sources
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