Sustaining Informal Caregivers - New York State Office for the Aging

Care Receiver Characteristics
While there are a considerable number of national caregiver surveys that have provided detailed
information on caregivers’ characteristics, information on care receivers’ characteristics are
rarely included. Nonetheless, one characteristic that is well documented in the national studies is
that older dependent care receivers are more likely to be women (National Alliance for
Caregiving and AARP, 2004; Walker, 1995).
Gender and Age of Care Receivers
Similar to most of the national caregiver survey data, care receivers with caregivers served by
New York caregiver support programs and services are more likely to be female (64 percent)
than male (36 percent). A majority (85 percent) of the care receivers are aged 75 or older. The
average age of care receivers is 82.3, and the oldest care receiver is aged 102.
• 4 percent of care receivers are below the age of 65;
• 11 percent are between ages 65 and 74;
• 42 percent are between ages 75 and 84; and
• 43 percent are aged 85 or older.
Those older care receivers, aged 85 or older, are a very vulnerable population. With advanced
age, they are more likely to have health problems and be limited in daily activities of living.
They also have a higher probability of entering into a nursing home due to their health status and
condition.
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