Yesterday was National Caregivers Day. According to AARP, more than 53 million people nationwide are unpaid family caregivers. They often sacrifice their time, money, and, in many cases, their well-being.
According to a 2024 study done by The University of Michigan, those needing care fall into multiple categories. Approximately 23% of caregivers care for someone with an intellectual or developmental disability. 66% care for a senior with a medical condition or disability. The most common health concern requiring care was a physical disability or mobility issue, which affected 59% of those in need.
Other health conditions where someone may need care included cognitive challenges like dementia, mental health conditions, and visual or hearing impairments. 42% of care recipients had dementia or similar conditions 28% had vision or hearing impairments, and 22% had mental health challenges.
Even with support, caregivers often experience negative consequences when they are caring for someone. Negative consequences of caregiving might be physical, economical, psychological, or social in nature. These consequences may include isolation, increased responsibilities, job loss, depression, a decline in physical health, financial pressure, and feelings of burden, and stress.
The financial burden on families can be tremendous. According to AARP’s 2021 survey, family caregivers spend an average of $7,242 of their own money each year. That does not include the time they spend taking care of things like medication, finances, and meal preparation.
Millions of vulnerable Americans depend on family members to provide care every day. Most of us will deal with caregiving in some fashion during our lives. Family caregivers need support in order to continue providing vital care to their loved ones.
Sources:
Burridge, Letitia, et al. ‘Reluctance to Care: A Systematic Review and Development of a Conceptual Framework’. Cancer Nursing, vol. 30, no. 2, 2007, https://journals.lww.com/cancernursingonline/fulltext/2007/03000/reluctance_to_care__a_systematic_review_and.14.aspx.
Bethell, Christina, and David Lansky. “Portrait of Informal Caregivers in America, 2001.” (2002).
Caron, Chantal D., and Barbara J. Bowers. ‘Deciding Whether to Continue, Share, or Relinquish Caregiving: Caregiver Views’. Qualitative Health Research, vol. 13, no. 9, Nov. 2003, pp. 1252–1271, https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732303257236.
Miller, Korin. “National Caregivers Day Is Feb. 21. Here’s How to Offer Support.” Yahoo!, Verizon Communications , 19 Feb. 2025, http://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/national-caregivers-day-is-feb-21-heres-how-to-offer-support-152857700.html.
Quraishi, Ash-har, et al. “Families Sacrifice Time and Money Caring for Loved Ones. A New Caregiver Calculator Reveals the High Cost.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 14 Oct. 2024, http://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/caregiver-calculator-cost-for-families/.
Schoch, Deborah. “Study Shows 1 in 5 Americans Provide Unpaid Family Care.” AARP, AARP, 18 June 2020, http://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2020/unpaid-family-caregivers-report.html.
Thompson, Dennis. “More than 1 in 4 Americans over 50 Are Now Caregivers.” HealthDay News, ScoutNews LLC, 7 Aug. 2024, http://www.healthday.com/health-news/caregiving/more-than-1-in-4-americans-over-50-are-now-caregivers.