Nearly 18-million Americans care for family members age 64 and older but the number of potential family caregivers is shrinking. A national Committee on Family Caregiving for Older Adults spent 18 months on a report that shows the demand for caregivers will only go up in the years ahead and they need to have more recognition, information and support to fulfill their responsibilities. Dr. Karen Schumacher is a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Nursing and was member of the national committee. She says caregivers do a much better job if they have tools needed to succeed.

Schumacher says the role of family caregivers is expanding.

The report shows hospital times are shorter and family caregivers are expected to pick up the slack at home even though they have little or no training. Schumacher says little support to the caregiver is given to support their responsibilities, maintain their own health, financial security and well-being. Most state governments have not addressed those challenges of the caregiver. They are recommending a national strategy for family caregiving.