En español | WASHINGTON, DC—AARP’s recent survey shows that positive emotions far outweigh negative emotions for both family caregivers and care recipients. Family caregivers report more positive emotions despite half feeling stressed or worried and care recipients report more positive emotions despite 6 out of 10 feeling less independent. The survey also found that family caregivers who felt more prepared to take on their role were more likely to report positive emotions than negative.

“Changing roles can be difficult to navigate within families, especially when those changes happen quickly with little time to prepare,” said Amy Goyer, AARP Family and Caregiving expert and author of AARP’s Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving. “AARP’s caregiving resources help families prepare for new roles, making the transition less stressful and allowing families to enjoy more quality time together.”

Key findings from the survey include:

• For family caregivers, positive emotions such as being pleased about helping a loved one (91%) far outweigh negative feelings. 
  • However, over half are stressed (51%) or worried (51%) and many are overwhelmed (40%).  
• 4 in 10 family caregivers say they were not prepared to take on their role. 
  • Among those who were prepared, only 16 percent say they were “very prepared.”
• Family caregivers who felt prepared for their role were more positive.
  • Seventy-nine percent of those who felt prepared were more likely to report they were happy compared with only 57 percent of those who felt unprepared.
  • Eighty-four percent of prepared respondents felt comfortable with their role versus 60 percent of unprepared respondents.
• Most care recipients feel a sense of gratitude (89%) along with other positive emotions.   
  • However, nearly six in ten (59%) say they feel less independent since accepting help.

AARP supports the more than 40 million family caregivers nationwide who provide unpaid short-term or long-term care to a parent, spouse, friend or other adult loved one in need. For more information about caregiving resources, visit www.aarp.org/caregiving or call 1-877-333-5885.

To read the full report, visit www.aarp.org/2017roleschangesurvey.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.