Supportive care needs of Americans: a major issue for women as both recipients and providers

In 2004, there were approximately 44 million men and women in the United States who were providing unpaid care to a family member, friend, or neighbor; these caregivers represented an estimated 22.9 million households (21% of all U.S. households). The 1-year economic value of this unpaid labor force was recently estimated to be 306 billion dollars. Caregiving is an important issue for women, as they represent 61% of those providing care and 65% of those receiving care. Women caregivers tend to fare worse than men, reporting higher levels of symptoms tied to depression and anxiety and lower levels of subjective well-being, life satisfaction, and physical health. In addition, the care that women provide is not without cost to them in terms of their financial future. Still, despite the burden, most caregivers consider providing care to family and friends a rewarding experience.