The following articles are designed to educate and inform the public the life of an average caregiver and shines light on the vast amount of time family caregivers spend each month caring for a loved one.

A Gallup poll aims to describe the life of an average caregiver and shines light on the vast amount of time family caregivers spend each month caring for a loved one. Researchers surveyed 2,805 adults, aged 18 and older, who self-identified as caregivers and were working at least 15 hours per week. Most respondents reported caring for someone 75 or older, and 72 percent of these caregivers were providing care for a parent. The poll finds that caregiving is generally a long-term commitment and is often a major time commitment, with more than 19 days per month devoted to providing care. 13 of these days were spent with tasks such as shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and taking medicine, while 6 of these days were spent assisting with personal tasks such as toilet visits, eating, dressing, grooming, and bathing. Caregivers also spent 13 hours per month coordinating physician visits, managing financial matters, and researching care services for their loved one and an average of 5 hours per day in which they provide care devoted to companionship.

Certain situations and signs may indicate it might be time to consider alternative living arrangements. Generally speaking, families and seniors begin to consider alternatives when it becomes difficult for the elderly family member to carry on important activities of daily living without significant support and assistance from others. Some of the challenges elderly adults can face as they age include loss of vision, poor balance, memory loss or forgetfulness, fatigue, loneliness, dementia, or a physician-prescribed move to a care setting.

Whether you or a family member's needs are immediate or long-term, starting the conversation about senior living is the first step to finding the best solution for care needs.