Published on: Jul 31, 2025
About 1 in 4 Families of Older Adults Have a Member with Dementia, U-M Study Finds
Roughly 26% of households and immediate families of older adults include someone living with dementia—often thrusting relatives into unexpected caregiving roles, according to a new University of Michigan study.
The share rises to 37% when extended families of adults aged 65 and older are included. Overall, about 21% of U.S. adults over 65 have dementia.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study offers the first national estimates of dementia’s reach across households, immediate families, and extended families—going beyond the usual focus on the older adult population alone.
A substantial number of families are potentially affected by the experience of having a relative with dementia,” said Esther Friedman, research associate professor at the U-M Institute for Social Research.
Friedman and her colleagues identified a major gap in existing research: no national data had quantified the likelihood of having an older adult with dementia in one’s household or family network. This is significant because family members are often the ones providing care—sometimes without preparation.
Understanding this broader “pool” of potential caregivers is key to developing targeted interventions and support systems, Friedman said. With the aging U.S. population, the impact on individuals, families, and society will only grow.
Caregiver networks for older adults with dementia are often larger and more likely to involve extended family. Even those not directly providing care may experience indirect effects, such as relocating closer to loved ones, adjusting work hours, or planning for long-term care needs.
Quantifying this impact can help health care providers identify people at risk for caregiving—and its potential health consequences—through simple screening questions in primary care visits.
“Many members of these families may need support to make the caregiving journey more manageable and to prevent negative consequences,” Friedman said.
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