Care and support are provided in several different ways and operate under various formal and informal settings. While hospitals and physicians provide a clear image of a country’s health system, care provided outside of these lines is not always so easy to assess. Care and support are offered to a vast array of people, although mostly to those who require assistance with their daily living due to old age, disease, mental disorders, or disability. Care can be provided in diverse settings, such as healthcare facilities, nursing homes, or private homes. Thirdly, caregivers include not only a wide range of different community health providers, but also unpaid caregivers. For these reasons, assessing the full extent of care and support is a complex matter.
Annual median cost of long-term health care services in the United States as of 2023, by type (in U.S. dollars)
Further details: Visit original statistic Annual median cost of long-term health care services in the United States as of 2023, by type (in U.S. dollars)
Care and support are provided in a variety of formal and informal structures. Caregiving can be short term, such as following and recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery or long term, where the recipient has a more debilitating condition. Care is provided in the person’s home by unpaid caregivers (such as family or friends), nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or rehabilitation centers.
Nursing homes in the U.S.Leading nursing homes and rehab facilities in the U.S. in 2024, by average number of residents per day
Further details: Visit original statistic Leading nursing homes and rehab facilities in the U.S. in 2024, by average number of residents per day
Care is most often provided to the elderly. Thus, since populations are aging in many developed countries, elderly care has become an increasingly discussed issue. As a person ages, the likelihood of requiring long-term care increases. Women are more likely than men to use long-term care due to a longer life expectancy. Care and support recipients are also often younger adults with mental or physical disabilities. Around 13 percent of the U.S. population some type of disability.
Long-term careTotal number of family caregivers in the United States in 2021, by state
Further details: Visit original statistic Total number of family caregivers in the United States in 2021, by state
In 2021, an estimated 38 million unpaid caregivers provided care to the elderly or an adult with special needs in the United States. This equates to roughly 600 billion U.S. dollars in economic value. Caregivers can be paid but are often unpaid family members, friends, or other people from the individual’s social network. Typical tasks of caregivers include helping the individual to eat, bathe, dress, and use the toilet, as well as pay bills, clean the house, manage medicine, and monitor health.
Caregivers in the U.S.Share of actions taken as a result of unpaid caregiving duties among U.S. workers in 2023
Further details: Visit original statistic Share of actions taken as a result of unpaid caregiving duties among U.S. workers in 2023
For those who have full- or part-time jobs, the responsibility of caregiving can prove an added burden. Assuming such a role can have multiple consequences on a person’s life. Some people might reduce their working hours, while others may resign from their job. Furthermore, caregiving can be particularly stressful, especially when caring for someone with a loss of mental abilities.
Mental health
In order to form a greater understanding of care and support, it is imperative to examine all the activities associated with this vital branch of the health care sector. Care and support is inherent to life. The core element of care is helping an individual to fulfill their fundamental human needs. These daily acts maintain and upkeep existence on an individual, collective, and social level.
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