The typical image of caregiving and the elderly is one of an older person who is ill or infirm receiving care from a younger person.  In many instances this image is correct. However, older women and men are not only the recipients of care; in many cases they are caregivers themselves.  Another assumption about caregiving is that the person giving the care is a woman. Again, this is generally true but many men also provide care. In this profile we will examine gender differences in both aspects of caregiving and the elderly—as recipients and as givers of care.

Historically, when an older person was in need of care, most often it was provided by the family. Past levels of high mortality meant that the proportion of population that reached older ages and needed care was relatively small. Also, past levels of high fertility ensured that there were plenty of family members to share the responsibility of care. However, as fertility and mortality have declined, the proportion of population at older ages has expanded and the number of younger family members available to care for these older people has decreased.