The vital role of family caregivers is often described as the backbone of our nation’s long-term care capacity. However, as the number of people providing this support rises dramatically, these individuals are facing unprecedented financial, emotional, and physical pressures.
A study released last year suggests that our current care system is in grave jeopardy due to these mounting strains. The data indicates that caregivers have reached a critical crisis point that demands urgent and immediate action from policymakers.
This alarming reality was our primary takeaway after reviewing an eye-opening article from AARP regarding their latest report. The study, titled Caregiving in the U.S., represents the sixth update in a research series that began in 1997.
Jointly produced by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, this project is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative data resources available. According to the article, “The 2025 update is the most comprehensive study of this critical area of American life to date.”
Extensive Data Details the Scale of the Caregiving Crisis
While we can only highlight the primary findings of this 140-page document, it is clear that this crisis affects every single American. The consequences of a potential system collapse would create significant social and fiscal burdens for the entire country.
To understand the scope of the problem, we must take a deeper dive into the methodology and demographics. The Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 survey utilized a nationally representative, probability-based online panel from IPSOS to gather its findings.
The researchers surveyed 6,858 caregivers aged 18 or older who had provided care within the past 12 months. This included those assisting adult relatives or friends, as well as those caring for children with complex medical conditions or disabilities.
Report Reveals the Stark Reality Facing American Families
In late July, AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving released their “sweeping new report” on the state of family caregiving. The article describes the current situation as “stark,” implying that the nation is facing a hidden and growing crisis.
“Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 reveals that 63 million Americans—nearly 1 in 4 adults—provided ongoing care for an adult or a child with a complex medical condition or a disability in the past year,” AARP reports. This represents a staggering increase in the caregiver population.
Specifically, the total number of caregivers grew by 20 million in the decade between 2015 and 2025. The overwhelming majority of these individuals—approximately 59 million—were providing essential care for someone over the age of 18.
The full 140-page report is available here for those who wish to examine the data in its entirety.
Providing Complex Medical Care Without Proper Training
“Family caregivers are a backbone of our health and long-term care systems—often providing complex care with little or no training, sacrificing their health, and too often doing it alone,” said AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan.
Jason Resendez, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, echoed this sentiment regarding the burden on families. He described “ordinary Americans providing extraordinary care,” adding that the data paints a dire picture of the daily reality 63 million Americans shoulder.
“We cannot continue to treat family caregiving as invisible labor,” Resendez stated during the report’s release. He called for a national reckoning concerning the value of family care and urged for policies that reflect the essential role caregivers play.
A Comprehensive Look at a Hidden National Crisis
The Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 survey provides a truly representative look at the evolving face of caregiving in our modern society. The AARP article reports that the study surveyed nearly 6,900 caregivers across various age groups and backgrounds.
As noted previously, this landmark study was first conducted in 1997 and has been repeated periodically over the last three decades. For the 2025 iteration, funding was provided by AARP, major national foundations, insurance firms, and a pharmaceutical company.
Key Highlights from the Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 Study
The summary provided online by AARP listed several critical highlights that illustrate why this issue has reached a breaking point. These findings touch on everything from time commitments to the physical health of the providers themselves.
Caregiving is frequently a full-time commitment. We were surprised to read that nearly one-quarter of all family caregivers report providing 40 hours of care or more per week. Furthermore, about one in three of these individuals have been providing this level of care for five years or longer.
The “Sandwich Generation” is being stretched thin. “Nearly 1 in 3 caregivers are also raising children under 18 while caring for an adult loved one,” according to the AARP article. These percentages are notably higher for Latino caregivers at 43 percent and Black caregivers at 36 percent.
Widespread financial strain on caregiver households. It comes as no surprise that providing intensive care often triggers significant and lasting financial sacrifices. “Nearly half of caregivers experienced at least one major financial impact—such as taking on debt, or being unable to afford food,” AARP reports.
The vital importance of workplace support systems. Roughly 60 percent of family caregivers remain employed, and half of them report experiencing significant work disruptions. While some employers offer flex time, AARP notes that salaried workers generally have better access to these benefits than hourly workers.
The physical and emotional health of caregivers. According to the AARP report, “1 in 5 caregivers report being in fair or poor health, and nearly 1 in 4 struggle to care for their own health.” Reports of emotional stress among this population have risen steadily since the 2020 study.
A critical lack of medical training. Even though caregivers are asked to perform complex tasks, nearly 90 percent have no formal medical training for daily activities. “Just over 20 percent have received training on nursing tasks despite over half managing injections, wound care, or medication,” says AARP.
(We encourage you to check out this Blog article on activities of daily living from mid-2025.)
Most caregivers still provide unpaid labor. “While 11.2 million family caregivers now receive some compensation,” says the article, “most are still unpaid.” This lack of income puts a long-term strain on their ability to save for retirement or increase their future Social Security benefits.
New Policies Needed to Protect American Caregivers
As an advocacy-driven organization, AARP has used this report to prompt a slew of recommendations for national change. They are pushing for systemic improvements that recognize the economic value of home-based care.
“The report calls for immediate, sustained action in policy and practice,” says the article. These recommendations range from expanding paid leave and respite services to ensuring that financial and emotional supports reach those who need them most.
AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan emphasized the need for legislative action to help offset the rising costs of providing care at home. “At AARP, we’re urging Congress to pass a federal tax credit to provide some financial relief for caregivers,” she stated.
Current data shows that caregivers are paying, on average, roughly $7,200 a year out-of-pocket in caregiving expenses. We will continue to watch for any changes in laws that might benefit those supporting their loved ones through these difficult times.
In the meantime, you can visit http://www.aarp.org/caregivingintheus2025 and http://www.caregivingintheus.org for more information on the report.
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