Middle-aged Sacramentans join ranks of unpaid caregivers for elderly relatives
Jeris Baker lives with her 91-year-old father in his Land Park home and takes care of him. She and many of the other 62 million family caregivers in the United States couldn't pay for the quality of care they give their loved ones.
Jeris Baker leans close to her father, 91-year-old John Hill, to ask him if they've forgotten anything while shopping as her son, Kirt Baker, stands by. Like an increasing number of Americans, Jeris Baker is the main caregiver for an aging relative.
Jeris Baker unloads her father’s wheelchair as they prepare to run errands. Most unpaid family caregivers are women of middle age.
Jeris Baker is the main caregiver for her father, John Hill, who has dementia and will turn 92 in December. Baker says it can be “ex- tremely stressful” but adds, “I’m glad I have time with my dad. Once they’re gone, you don’t have a second chance.”