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Hunt, G., Levine, C. & Naiditch, L. (2005, September). Young caregivers in the U.S.: Findings from national survey. Bethesda, MD: National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with United Hospital Fund.

Abstract

In September 2003 the U.S. Administration on Aging awarded a grant to the National Alliance on Caregiving, in collaboration with the United Hospital Fund’s Families and Health Care Project, to conduct the first national survey of child caregivers in this country.

This report presents the results of two studies conducted by Mathew Greenwald & Associates, Inc. on behalf of the National Alliance for Caregivers and the United Hospital Fund. The research had three main objectives:
1. To determine the prevalence of caregiving among children nationwide;
2. To learn what role children play in giving care; and
3. To learn how the caregiving role impacts the life of a child.

This survey provides the first national data about child caregivers in the U.S. Many of the results are reassuring, in the sense that children engaged in caregiving are not usually doing it alone and are participating in the same educational and social activities as their noncaregiving peers. There are indications, however, that some children are experiencing distress that is manifested in behavioral and school problems and feelings of isolation and sadness. Boys in particular seem to have more difficulties than girls. Children in minority households, which have lower incomes, are also under particular stress and report less help in carrying out their tasks.

The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving. Alliance members include grassroots organizations, professional associations, service organizations, disease-specific organizations, a government agency, and corporations (abstract taken from p. 1, 3, and 9 of the report).

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