In 2025, an estimated 63 million U.S. adults are providing care to a loved one with a health condition or disability—a 45% increase since 2015. Of these, 59 million care for adults, often with complex or chronic medical needs. This caregiving population is diverse in age, race, income, and geography, and includes not just family members but also friends and neighbors.
Those are the findings of a detailed report titled “Transforming Family Caregiving Through Data,” which is presented by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.
Findings include:
- Family caregivers are performing increasingly intensive and long-term roles.
- Over half manage medical tasks like injections or vital sign monitoring, but most receive no formal training.
- Many caregivers assist with personal care, household duties, financial management, and health coordination—often while juggling work responsibilities.
- About one in four caregivers provide 40+ hours of care weekly, and nearly 30% have been caregiving for five years or more.
Caregiving is taking a toll: Almost half report financial strain, and one in five rate their own health as fair or poor. Emotional stress and feelings of isolation have risen, especially among women, LGBTQ+ caregivers, and those living with the care recipient. Meanwhile, few have access to paid help, respite care, or sufficient workplace benefits, and only 13% use respite services, despite 39% saying it would help.
Caregivers are adapting, however—technology use has doubled since 2020—and over half find meaning and purpose in their role, particularly among caregivers from Hispanic/Latino and lower-income backgrounds.
The report also highlights growing numbers of “sandwich generation” caregivers—especially under age 50—supporting both an adult and a child at home. In total, 4 million children under 18 are also contributing to caregiving duties.
Despite their essential contributions to the health system, family caregivers remain underrecognized and under-supported. Caregivers say they need better access to financial relief (like tax credits and direct payments), emotional support, training, and respite care. The report urges policymakers and communities to act, emphasizing that while caregiving can bring purpose, purpose alone is not enough to sustain this critical role.
