The Caregiving Caregivers: What would we do without them? Issue A LABOR OF LOVE A look at caregiving in the United States PHOTO BY iSTOCK About 43.5 million people provide unpaid care to an adult or a child each year. Caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours a week providing care, though nearly 1 in 4 caregivers reports spending 41 hours or more each week providing care. Caregiving most often takes place between women. At least 60 percent of caregivers are women, and 65 percent of care recipients are women. 15.9 million About people cared for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia in 2015. The estimated economic value of that care is $221.3 billion. Sources: Caregiving in the U.S. (2015), AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving; Alzheimer's Association The average age of a care recipient is 69.4, and the average age of a caregiver is 49.2. Nearly 1 in 10 caregivers is 75 or older. Whether you're helping someone manage an illness or just trying to keep your family healthy, turn the page to learn more about taking care of others-and yourself. SUM ME R 2017 9