Listen now (32 mins) | Listen Now Family caregivers are the most ignored providers of health care delivery despite the fact they constitute 30 percent of the adult population, or are 65 million Americans. Caregivers are more typically women, over fifty, spending 20 hours a week (over an average of five years) providing care most frequently for a family member typically a parent with dementia. They are literally the backbone of health care. Professionally, caregivers, half of whom work full time, incur lost wages, promotions, health insurance, retirement savings and frequently suffer deleterious physical and mental health effects. Nearly 80 percent of caregivers report needing more help and information with at least 14 specific topics related to caregiving.