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Caregiving in North Carolina BRFSS Survey Questions

 What is the BRFSS?

QUESTIONS: to learn how individual in North Carolina responded to these questions, click the words North Carolina, below each question. To learn how North Carolina compares with other states on questions. Questions 1 and 2 were asked of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and one territory. Questions 3-6 were on the survey for only 20 states.

Survey Question 1

[People may] provide regular care or assistance to [someone] who is elderly or has a long-term illness or disability. During the past month, did you provide any such care or assistance to a family member or friend who is 60 years of age or older?

Survey Question 2

Who would you call to arrange short or long-term care in the home for an elderly relative or friend who was no longer able to care for themselves?

Survey Question 3

Who usually helps you with your personal care needs, such as eating, bathing, dressing, or getting around the house?

Survey Question 4

Is the assistance you receive to meet your personal care needs: [usually, sometimes, or rarely adequate]

Survey Question 5

Who usually helps you with handling your routine needs, such as everyday household chores, shopping, or getting around for other purposes?

Survey Question 6

Is the assistance you receive to meet your routine needs: [usually, sometimes, or rarely adequate]



Question 1

[People may] provide regular care or assistance to [someone] who is elderly or has a long-term illness or disability. During the past month, did you provide any such care or assistance to a family member or friend who is 60 years of age or older?

  • 17.1% of adults in NC responding to the 2000 survey reported that in the past month they had provided regular care or assistance to someone who is age 60 or older or has a long-term illness or disability.
  • Almost half (47.3%) of these caregivers are between the ages of 45-64.
  • 22.3% of these caregivers stated that their income is less than $15,000 per year.
  • While 19.6% of women identify themselves as caregivers, a significant number of men (14.3%) also identified themselves as regular care providers.

Question 2

Who would you call to arrange short or long-term care in the home for an elderly relative or friend who was not longer able to care for themselves?

  • Over one-fourth reported that they do not know who they would call.
  • Overall, about the same percentage stated that they would provide the care for the friend (27.8 percent of the women and 21.6 percent of the men)
  • About one-fifth said they would call a relative or friend to assist.
  • Overall, about 10% would call a home health service.
  • About 17% stated that would call "other" (someone or someplace not listed in the options for response).
  • Of those 65 and older responding, 32% would not know where to call, and 17.3% would provide the care themselves.
  • Click here to see data from BRFSS Survey Question 2 (http://www.schs.state.nc.us/SCHS/healthstats/brfss/2000/ltchelp.html)

Question 3

Who usually helps you with your personal care needs, such as eating, bathing, dressing, or getting around the house?

  • About 40% of respondents reported that a spouse or partner assists them with personal care needs.
  • 23% reported a parent or other family member assists with these needs
  • 17.6% reported having a paid employee assist.
  • Almost 20% report other assistance, unspecified.

Question 4

Is the assistance you receive to meet your personal care needs:

  • The vast majority (82%) reported that the care they received was usually adequate.

Question 5

Who usually helps you with handling your routine needs, such as everyday household chores, shopping, or getting around for other purposes?

  • Most routine care is reported to be provided by a spouse or partner (36%) followed by a parent or family member (24.8%).

Question 6

Is the assistance you receive to meet your routine needs:

  • 82% of respondents indicated that their assistance with routine needs is usually adequate.
  • 18% stated that their care is only sometimes or rarely adequate.