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Roughly 26% of both homes and immediate families of older adults contain someone exhibiting dementia—commonly necessitating relatives to take on unforeseen caregiving responsibilities, as reported by a recent study from the University of Michigan.
This statistic increases to 37% when considering extended families of individuals aged 65 and above, according to the findings. In total, around 21% of older adults aged 65 have dementia.
The investigation, backed by the National Institutes of Health, provides fresh insights into dementia prevalence among American families with older individuals. Estimates are more usually calculated for the older adult demographic.
“We discovered that a considerable portion of families may be influenced by the experience of having a member with dementia,” stated Esther Friedman, associate professor at the U-M Institute for Social Research.
Following a review of existing studies, Friedman and her team identified a notable deficiency: There were no nationwide statistics on the probability of having an older person with dementia in one’s household, immediate family, or extended family.
This absence of data is significant, given that family members are highly prone to become care partners for older individuals diagnosed with dementia. Acknowledging this “pool” of potential caregivers is essential for crafting and executing effective interventions and support systems, Friedman emphasized.
“As the U.S. population ages, it becomes increasingly vital to understand how being part of a household, immediate family, and extended family of an older adult with dementia influences the lives of individuals, families, and society,” she articulated.
Studies show that caregiver networks supporting older adults with dementia are often broader and more likely to involve extended family members. Even if some extended family members may be less likely to act as primary caregivers, having a relative with dementia can still influence their lives.
“Even before family members start to take on caregiving roles, they could already be making preparations to provide care,” Friedman observed. “This could include relocating closer to parents suffering from dementia or adjusting work schedules. It may impact decisions related to acquiring long-term care insurance, allocating funds for paid long-term services and supports, or planning for the potential future of dementia.”
Measuring this broader influence on extended families is crucial to ensure that support frameworks are tailored to meet the genuine needs of millions of affected families, according to Friedman. Inquiring whether individuals are living with or have a relative outside the household with dementia during primary care consultations might be a strategy to identify those at risk of becoming caregivers and encountering related health challenges.
With initiatives aiming to combine patient care with caregiver support, it is becoming progressively essential for healthcare professionals to grasp the entire network of potential caregivers, Friedman noted.
“A significant percentage of U.S. older adults’ families consist of a relative with dementia,” she stated. “Numerous members of these families may require assistance to ease the caregiving experience and avert possible adverse outcomes of caregiving.”
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