Taking care of aging adults is more draining than taking care of small children for most people, according to a study by Northwestern Mutual released last month.

The survey of 1,308 adults found that Americans are unprepared for the complex and unpredictable realities of longevity and caregiving. The survey is called the C.A.R.E. Study. (It stands for “costs, accountabilities, realities and expectations.”) 

Sixty percent of those surveyed said caring for two aging adults is more demanding than caring for two children ages 3 to 5.

Those who might be caregivers in the future are anxious about the cost, Northwestern says. Sixty-six percent said paying the extra costs would make a large financial impact on them, and 38% said they have not planned for these costs. When asked where the money would come from, 48% said they would cut discretionary living expenses, 27% said they would take it from their retirement savings, and 20% said they would get another job.

A disconnect exists between what inexperienced people think caregiving will mean and what experienced caregivers say it is really about, says Northwestern. Inexperienced caregivers expect their role to focus on performing chores such as grocery shopping (78%), cooking (73%) and laundry (72%).

Experienced caregivers, however, say even though chores are a big part of the job, emotional support ranked equally as high (83%). Financial support and personal hygiene were cited as the aspects of caregiving that cause the most anxiety. Although caregiving is stressful, 60% of those surveyed said it makes them feel they are doing the right thing, and 48% said it lets them return the care they received earlier in life.