OBJECTIVES: To measure health related quality of life (HRQOL) of dementia caregivers and to examine relationship of caregiving characteristics with caregiver health status. METHODS: A convenience sample of 71 caregivers was selected from local chapters of Alzheimer's Association in New York metropolitan area. The caregiver health status was measured using Short Form 12, Version 2 (SF-12), general health survey. Hypotheses were formulated and tested to examine the influence of caregiving activities on the self-reported health status of caregivers. Norm-based physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS) were computed to investigate associations between caregiving characteristics and caregiver health status. RESULTS: Eighty two percent of the sample were women. Relatives of the care recipients provided bulk of caregiving (51%). Professional caregivers who received financial compensation reported higher, statistically significant health status scores (PCS=51.3, p=0.025; MCS=51.2, p=0.0025) compared to those who did not receive financial compensation(PCS 47.3, p=0.0165; MCS=42.4, p=0.0005). Higher and significant scores were also reported by caregivers with formal training in caregiving than those who received no such training (p=0.009). No significant differences were found on HRQOL scores for caregiving spouses and caregiving children. There was no association between the health status of caregivers and the length of time spent in caregiving. CONCLUSIONS: The type of caregiver relationship to the care recipient appears to have no bearing on the HRQOL of caregivers. Financial compensation for caregiving is associated positively with better health outcomes for the caregivers. Caregiver health status is not influenced by the length of time spent in providing caregiving activities.