Sponsored by the Families and Work Institute, this Elder Care study adds to the literature by acquiring detailed qualitative information about the experiences and desires of elder caregivers from current caregivers and from those who had cared for someone who had died in the past 5 years.

The sample used in this study pulled from the Families and Work Institute’s ongoing National Study of the Changing Workforce (NCSW), conducted every 5-6 years since 1992. With a 54.6% response rate, the NCSW has provided a large quantity of information on working family caregivers.  Participants were also asked about their wishes for themselves as they age.

On page 2 of the study are the highlights of findings, which include that 42% of individuals in the workforce have provided elder care in  the past five years.  Not surprisingly many are in the sandwich generation: 46% of the women and 40% of the men have children under 18 at home.  Family caregivers work as many hours on average as those without care giving responsibilities although most (55%) report that they would prefer to work fewer hours. Family caregiver’s wishes summarized beginning on page 3 are broken down by workplace, family support and the health care system.

It is the hope of the study to call people to action.  They ask that you send your positive ideas for better aging and they will share them as broadly as possible and help to turn them from wishes into realities. To submit ideas, send an email to eldercare@familiesandwork.org.