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AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print Sep 29, 2005
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©
American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2005.067702

Research and Practice

Young Adult Caregivers: A First Look at an Unstudied Population

Carol Levine 1*, Gail Gibson Hunt 2, Deborah Halper 1, Andrea Y. Hart 3, Jessica Lautz 4, David A. Gould 1

1 United Hospital Fund
2 National Alliance for Caregiving
3 United Hosptial Fund
4 National Association for College Admission Counseling

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: clevine{at}uhfnyc.org.


  Abstract

Objectives: This study presents prevalence, characteristics, and responsibilities of young adults aged 18 to 25 who are caregivers for ill, elderly, or disabled family members or friends. Methods: Two previously published national studies of adult caregivers (Harvard School of Public Health/United Hospital Fund/Visiting Nurse Service of New York [2002] and National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP[2004]) were analyzed. Results: Young adult caregivers make up between 12 and 18% of the total number of adult caregivers. Over half are male, and the average age is 21. Most young adults are caring for a female relative, most often a grandmother or another relative two generations older. They are less likely than older caregivers to be the primary caregiver, although a quarter do provide most or substantial amounts of care. Young adult caregivers identified a variety of unmet needs, including obtaining medical help, information, and making end-of-life decisions. Conclusions: These two studies broaden our understanding of the spectrum of family caregivers by focusing on caregivers between the ages of 18 and 25, the stage of "emerging adulthood." Further research is needed to determine the positive and negative impacts of caregiving on young adults so that more effective and age-appropriate outreach services can be provided. We speculate that in the future care recipients will be even older than they are now, and caregivers even younger. What this may mean for a youth-oriented but aging society is open to question.

Key Words: Aging, Chronic Disease, Health Policy, Health Service Delivery, Social Science, Surveys




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