Look for the Helpers: Providing Support to Older Adults

Findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging demonstrate the importance of providing support to caregivers. More than half of people age 50 to 80 say they helped at least one person over 65 with their health or personal care needs, meals, finances, or home maintenance/improvement in the past two years, according to new findings. While nearly all helpers (96%) reported positive aspects of supporting others, a quarter said it was more difficult than they expected, especially for those helping with more care tasks or helping someone with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease/other dementia.