“Young Caregivers in the U.S.” is posted by the National Alliance for Caregiving.
More than 1.3 million 8- to and 18-year-olds nationwide serve as caregivers for their siblings, parents, or other people, a survey has found.
Released by the Bethesda, Md.-based National Alliance for Caregiving, in collaboration with the New York City-based United Hospital Fund, the survey found that 58 percent of those young people help with at least one activity of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, getting in and out of beds and chairs, using the bathroom, and feeding. It also found that 92 percent of child caregivers ages 8 to 11 help with at least one instrumental activity of daily living, such as shopping for groceries, preparing meals, and paying bills.