More than half of people over 50 say they've helped at least one person over 65 take care of their health, personal hygiene, home, or finances in the past two years, a new University of Michigan poll finds.

Memory and cognitive issues in the people being helped also increase the challenge. In all, 45% of those helping a person with mild cognitive impairment, and 58% of those helping someone with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia, say it's more difficult than they expected. That's compared with 15% of those who help someone without either of these conditions.

AARP has tools, information, and support available for caregivers. The AARP Family Caregiving website, at www.aarp.org/caregiving, provides an easy way to join an online community of other caregivers, learn about local services, get helpful information and connect with others who understand caregiving challenges.

The poll report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for IHPI and administered online and via phone in July 2022 among 2,163 adults aged 50 to 80. The sample was subsequently weighted to reflect the U.S. population.