Nearly 4 in 10 extended families of older adults in the United States include an older relative with dementia.

INTRODUCTION

The growing number of older adults with dementia could have implications for their family members, many of whom will be called upon to provide care.

METHODS

Leveraging the familial design of the 2021 Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we estimate dementia prevalence among older adults, their households, immediate families, and extended families.

RESULTS

About 21% of adults ages 65 and older have dementia. About 26% of both households and immediate families with an adult age 65 and older include an individual with dementia. This figure rises to 37% among extended families of older adults. Among those with older adults, less-educated households and families have higher dementia rates than do more-educated ones; extended families with racial/ethnic minorities have higher dementia rates than do their non-Hispanic White counterparts.

DISCUSSION

Nearly four in 10 extended families of older adults include someone with dementia, potentially placing family members at risk of becoming caregivers.

HIGHLIGHTS

We provide the first national estimates of dementia in extended families. About 26% of immediate families with an older adult include someone with dementia. Nearly four in 10 extended families of older adults include someone with dementia. Findings have implications for targeting care-related supports to families.