An estimated 3.5 percent of the U.S. population — more than 11.9 million people — is currently serving as volunteer, unpaid caregivers for their 7.4 million loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease.
This veritable army of spouses, children, siblings, grandchildren, friends and neighbors is giving its time — and often its own money — to care for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s, the last major disease without a prevention or cure.
November is a special month to honor this unique, dedicated group of people. Originally designated as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, the event later was expanded by President Bill Clinton to honor our nation’s caregivers: National Family Caregivers Month.
“Providing one-on-one care for a loved one is a very personal experience,” said Jim Hammelev, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado.
The reality is that these volunteer caregivers are generally inexperienced in the tasks facing them. Half (51 percent) report having no prior experience performing medical/nursing-related tasks. But, despite the physical, emotional and financial strain, 45 percent of caregivers surveyed by the Alzheimer’s Association reported the experience was “very rewarding.”
Alzheimer’s caregiving by the numbers
The statistics surrounding Alzheimer’s caregiving are as startling as the disease itself. The sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only leading disease without a prevention or cure, Alzheimer’s poses a massive health care challenge that could not be met without the selfless acts of volunteer caregivers.
Here’s a statistical look at the disease and the caregivers:
• Alzheimer’s caregivers across the U.S.: more than 11.9 million in 2024.
• Duration of care: more than half (57 percent) of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias have provided care for four or more years. Some provide care for up to 20 years.
• Number of hours: In 2024, volunteer caregivers in the U.S. provided nearly 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, an average of 31 hours of care per caregiver per week.
• Value of care: The unpaid Alzheimer’s care provided in 2025 is projected at $413 billion (on top of projected costs of $384 billion in paid care).
The value of unpaid care is nearly 16 times the total revenue of McDonald’s in 2024 ($25.9 billion).
• The health of caregivers: Surveys conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association show that 44 percent of dementia caregivers report anxiety; 32.5 percent report depression; and for caregivers at a mean age of 64, 32 percent report thinking about or making plans for suicide vs. 2.7 percent of U.S. adults age 56 and older (direct age comparator not available).
A total of 18 percent of spousal caregivers die before their partners with dementia (Alzheimer’s Association).
• Medical system support: In a survey of caregivers from a large health care system, fewer than four in 10 respondents (39.2 percent) agreed that their primary care providers help them with managing symptoms of a care recipient with dementia.
• Double responsibilities: One in four caregivers report they are “sandwich generation” caregivers, meaning they care for children under age 18 as well as an aging parent.
• Out-of-pocket costs: It was estimated in 2021 (the last year surveyed) that dementia caregivers pay $12,388 on average per year in out-of-pocket costs in their caregiving role.
In Colorado
There are more than 91,000 Coloradans living with Alzheimer’s disease. Supporting them are more than 178,000 volunteer caregivers.
Caregiver training/education
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a wide range of educational programs and services — all at no charge — for caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more, go to www.alz.org or call the Association’s free 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.
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