Visit spreadingjoy.org to help complete the expansion by donating items found within the house on our online donation registry

Capital Campaign Partners

Every day, millions of Americans wake up to face the challenge of a new day. But for more than 50 million people a year, that means waking up to provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend. A caregiver is defined as anyone who provides assistance to someone else who is, in some degree, incapacitated and needs help. While caregiving often offers a strong sense of reward, it can be an extremely challenging role. Most often, the role of caregiver is filled by unpaid individuals, such as family or friends. More than 34 million adults provide care to someone age 50 or older, valued at over $306 billion a year. An estimated 59-75 percent of all caregivers are female and between the ages of 35 and 64 years old. For 59 percent of those women, the balancing act consists of juggling the demands of work, responsibilities to their own growing families and caring for their loved one. This juggling act will continue to expand, as the population in need of care is steadily growing. Almost 100 million people in the United States are living with one or more chronic conditions.

Over the next 25 years, as the population ages, this number is expected to reach 134 million. At least 10 percent of people 65 and older and nearly half of those 85 and older, suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementing illnesses which requires around-the-clock care. Demographic trends suggest the number of individuals living with chronic conditions will continue to rise. While there have been countless national surveys and studies on the need of adult day services and adult day, a statewide needs assessment conducted by the Indiana Division of Aging in 2006 concluded that adult day services/respite was the second greatest need among Hoosier caregivers. The Indiana Association of Adult Day Services reports there are only ten adult day service providers in the greater Indianapolis area, but the number of adults in Indianapolis in need of such services is far greater. Joy’s House currently addresses these needs, and our expansion will only help to benefit our community further.