The number of family caregivers in Arizona is on the rise. Roughly one in five adults in the state are caregivers. And they are largely unpaid and unsupported.
New data shows that more than 1 million adults in Arizona are caring for a family member or friend with a complex medical condition or disability. That’s an increase from two years ago when that figure was around 850,000.
The jump is largely due to the fact that Arizona is an aging state and more people are identifying as a caregiver.
Another change is that for the first time, the report counts caregivers who receive payments through Medicaid, the VA or state programs.
According to the study, 94% of family caregivers here are caring for an adult, most often a parent. Besides providing care at home, one in four of these caregivers are also working.
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