Elder/Adult Dependent Care

The American family is undergoing historic changes. Because of an unprecedented demographic shift, we are changing from a young to an old society. This trend has been called the "age wave," and it is forcing critical changes in the way we live and work, and in how we care for those we love. One of the most dramatic changes is in the number of people who are responsible for elder care. A study by the American Society on Aging estimates that approximately 25 million Americans are now caring for a parent or older loved one.

In March, 1992, Professor Andrew Scharlach of the School of Social Welfare, in conjunction with the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Dependent Care (CACDC), conducted a survey to investigate the adult care responsibilities of faculty and staff of UC Berkeley. This survey provides a comprehensive picture of the adult care responsibilities of Berkeley faculty and staff, the impact of those responsibilities on the workplace, and the programs and benefits care providers thought would be most beneficial.

Though caring for elders is the most common form of adult dependent care, many people are also caring for other adults who are acutely chronically ill or disabled. Though most of the information in this section also applied to caring for non-elder adults, the word "elder" will be used to designate the care recipient.

This portion of the Guide will introduce you to the primary areas of elder/adult dependent care and provide resources and information to help you plan the best strategies for your family.

Click these links to view Elder/Adult Dependent Care topics.

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