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ON HEALTH: Thank you, caregivers

During another busy day in the clinic, as I see an elderly patient in a wheelchair who is accompanied by family member or members, I am reminded at how lucky the patient is. It is estimated that 80 percent of the adults who require some level of care live at home. Unpaid family members provide 90 percent of that care. This means that the majority of the care of the elderly is falling on the shoulders of family members.

A caregiver is defined as a family member or friend who is providing unpaid assistance for another person who has a disabling condition. These caregivers provide a critical serv...