Caregiving can be challenging and rewarding. While some unpaid caregivers are able to more easily accommodate the needs of adult recipients, many caregivers feel emotional, physical and financial strain, depending on the length of care, level of care and other factors. Here is a closer look at the stress caregivers experience, based on a 2015 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute.

1 = not stressful; 5= very stressful

1 – 16%

2 – 20%

3 – 25%

4 – 22%

5 – 16%

1 – 28%

2 – 26%

3 – 26%

4 – 12%

5 – 7%

1 – 39%

2 – 22%

3 – 20%

4 – 10%

5 – 8%

Source: Caregiving in the U.S., 2015 report; https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2015/caregiving-in-the-united-states-2015-report-revised.pdf

Created by Northwestern University’s Online Masters in Counseling program