AARP reveals ‘urgent need’ to address financial impacts faced by caregivers

Living location impacts the caregiving experience in the U.S., according to a new state-level analysis released on Wednesday by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC).

AARP’s data found that, specifically, state policy choices have an impact on family caregivers. States with strong supports, such as paid leave, respite care and health system integration report better outcomes.

The data, which builds on report findings from earlier this year, revealed major differences in who provides care, how much care they give and what support is available to caregivers.

With 63 million family caregivers nationwide, AARP concluded an “urgent need” for policy solutions at both the federal and state levels. The report is composed of data aggregated from an online survey completed by 6,858 family caregivers ages 18 and older between August and October 2024.

“Caregivers are the invisible backbone of our broken long-term care system and economy, and too many are paying the price out of their own pockets, risking their own financial security by taking on more debt, using up savings, and leaving bills unpaid,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer.

“This new data offers the clearest picture yet of America’s caregivers nationwide and a roadmap for the change they urgently need. AARP is urging for policy solutions at both the federal and state levels to address this growing crisis with commonsense solutions that help family caregivers save money and time — and get the support they need.”

The disparities and how policy reacts to them determine whether families “thrive or collapse,” said Jason Resendez, president and CEO of NAC.

“When financial strain hits 59% of family caregivers in Georgia compared to just 34% in Minnesota — meaning where you live can double your risk of economic hardship — it’s clear that patchwork state solutions aren’t enough.”

Family caregiver prevalence — referring to the share of adults 18 and older who are family caregivers of adults and children with complex medical conditions or disabilities — ranges from 20% in Washington, D.C., to 34% in Mississippi. Nationally, the prevalence is 24%.

The number of family caregivers across states ranges from 107,000 in Wyoming to 7 million in
California. The average age of these family caregivers is 50, with a range across states from 46 in Maryland to 55 in Arizona.

Affordability varies too, as family caregiving can result in stopping or using up savings, taking on more debt, and paying bills late or not at all. Nearly half of family caregivers nationally (48%) experience at least one negative financial impact because of caregiving.

Across all states, the share of family caregivers experiencing at least one of the 13 negative financial impacts measured ranged from 34% in Minnesota to 59% in Georgia. Relief also depends on location as the percentage of family caregivers who receive pay for caregiving ranges from 10% in Iowa to 28% in New Jersey.

Nationally, 28% of family caregivers have difficulty finding affordable local services for their care recipient. Specifically, caregivers in rural areas more often say it is very difficult to get affordable services in their local area or community (34%).