Caregiving in the U.S. 2025: The New Realities for America’s Caregivers

The just-released Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving paints a vivid picture of the changing face of caregiving in America. The numbers are bigger, the responsibilities heavier, and the stakes higher than ever.

📈 Caregiving on the Rise

In 2025, 63 million American adults—nearly 1 in 4—provided ongoing care to someone with a medical condition or disability. That’s a 45% increase since 2015, driven by an aging population, lack of affordable long-term care, and more people choosing to age at home.

👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Are Today’s Caregivers?

• Average age: 51 years

• 61% are women

• Ethnic makeup: 61% White, 16% Latino/Hispanic, 13% Black/African American, 6% Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

• 20% live in rural areas

• 24% care for more than one person

• Nearly one-third are sandwich generation caregivers—supporting both adults and children under 18.

🩺 The Care They Provide

Caregiving is getting longer and more intense:

• Average duration: 5.5 years

• Average hours per week: 27

• 24% provide 40+ hours weekly

• 66% assist with daily living tasks (bathing, dressing, mobility)

• 84% help with three or more instrumental daily tasks (meals, finances, transportation)

• Over half handle complex medical/nursing tasks, yet only 22% receive training

💼 Working While Caring

• 70% of working-age caregivers are employed

• Half experience work disruptions (late arrivals, early departures, missed days)

• Salaried workers have more access to caregiver-friendly benefits like telework and paid leave, but many are hesitant to disclose caregiving responsibilities at work.

💰 Financial Strain

• 47% report at least one negative financial impact from caregiving

• 31% have stopped saving

• 24% have depleted short-term savings

• 23% have taken on more debt African American, Latino, younger, LGBTQ+, and lower-income caregivers are hit hardest.

❤️ Health & Well-being

• 20% rate their health as fair or poor

• 64% report high emotional stress

• 45% feel physical strain

• 24% feel alone—up from 21% in 2020

• Yet 51% say caregiving gives them a sense of purpose

🏛 Policy Priorities from Caregivers

Top supports caregivers say would help:

1. Income tax credit (69%)

2. Direct payment programs (68%)

3. Partially paid leave (55%) They also want respite care, emotional support, better training from health professionals, and help navigating safety and paperwork challenges.

Bottom line: Caregiving is no longer a quiet, private role—it’s a massive, unpaid (and sometimes paid) workforce holding up the nation’s health and long-term care system. The report calls for urgent policy changes and broader recognition to sustain this essential labor force.