US Census Bureau to Measure Informal Carers

The US Census Bureau is adding a new question to its Survey of Income and Program Participation in order to gauge the number of people who provide unpaid care or assistance to family members or friends with a long-term illness or a disability.

Census Bureau field representatives will visit 45,000 randomly selected households nationwide to conduct the survey, which was first launched more than 20 years ago. The survey is designed to measure change over time, so the same households will remain in the survey for three years, with most follow-up interviews conducted by telephone.

The survey tracks changes in the type of work people perform, the level of their education, and whether they are actively looking for employment. Periodically, respondents are also asked questions on other topics such as the latest addition about unpaid caregiving.

Ralph Lee, Director of the Census Bureau's Seattle Regional Office, says 'findings from the survey are invaluable because they help policymakers reach informed decisions that affect many of us, such as family caregivers'.

More information about the Census Bureau is online at www.census.gov

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.