A recent University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging has unveiled a significant increase in the number of Americans aged 50 and older serving as caregivers. The survey reveals that 30% of individuals in their 50s and early 60s are now providing care for at least one family member or friend with a health issue or disability. This marks a notable rise compared to 23% of those aged 65 and older who are in similar caregiving roles.

The poll highlights that 10% of caregivers in this age group are managing the care of three or more individuals. Sarah Patterson, a demographer with the University of Michigan, points out that these findings underscore the substantial caregiving burden falling on people in their 50s and early 60s, with a notable impact on women.

Indeed, the survey indicates that 32% of women aged 50 or older are caregivers, compared to 22% of their male counterparts. Caregivers are predominantly attending to seniors with health problems or disabilities, with 66% reporting this as their primary caregiving responsibility. Physical disabilities or mobility issues are the most common concerns, affecting 59% of those needing care, followed by memory or cognitive issues (42%), vision or hearing impairments (28%), and mental health issues (22%).

The poll also reveals that 45% of those aged 50 and older believe the government should bear the cost of caregiving, while 27% feel the responsibility should fall to the care recipient, and 18% suggest family or friends should cover the costs. Additionally, 61% of caregivers are unaware of local resources such as Area Agencies on Aging, which provide support to caregivers, seniors, and the disabled.

Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, director of the poll and associate professor of internal medicine at Michigan Medicine, hopes the findings will inform policymakers and enhance awareness of available support services. The survey, conducted among nearly 3,400 individuals, including over 900 caregivers, took place between February and March.