Last week, the focus was on long-term planning. Let’s follow up this week by looking at Caregiving statistics in 2025.
By the Numbers
According to AARP last year, over 53 million people in the U.S. were providing unpaid care. Of the 53M caregivers, 36% are between the ages 50-64; 22% are between the ages of 18-24; 22% are between the ages of 25-49; 13% are between the ages of 65-74, and 7% are above 75 years old.
These 53 million U.S. adults are family assisting their older relatives, spouses, friends, or neighbors with daily tasks like cooking and dressing. This means one in five Americans is a caregiver. As the population ages, projections show that by 2030, people aged 65 and older will continue to grow and the need for family caregiving is expected to continue rising.
Family Caregiver Statistics
SeniorLiving.org updated its statistics In February 2025. They surveyed 1,765 unpaid caregivers and I’m posting their results below.
Key Findings:
- 59% of family caregivers are women, and they report higher levels of emotional stress, depression, and challenges with balancing caregiving duties compared to men.
- 43% of caregivers are the sole providers of care, typically spending 20 hours per week on caregiving duties.
- 53% of family caregivers work full-time jobs, meaning they must balance their caregiving and workplace responsibilities.
- Nearly half (47%) of caregivers receive no formal support, such as financial aid, counseling, or respite care, despite 88% saying they need more help.
- 43% of family caregivers report sleeping difficulties and 36% report feelings of depression.
- While 65% of caregivers haven’t participated in support groups, those who have preferred online forums and Facebook groups over in-person meetings.
- Nearly 60 percent of caregivers in our survey cared for a parent while caring for a spouse, friend, or neighbor was much less common.
Challenges for Family Caregivers
Difficulties Experienced
- Emotional stress reported by 72% of all caregivers
- Balancing caregiving with the rest of responsibilities at work and home was reported by 66% of all caregivers
- Financial strain reported by 51% of all caregivers
- Feeling of obligation reported by 48% of all caregivers
- Loss of sleep reported by 43% of all caregivers
- Physical demand reported by 41% of all caregivers
- Setting boundaries with how much time I commit to caregiving reported by 38% of all caregivers
- Depression reported by 36% of all caregivers
- Need more help and don’t want to ask reported by 25% of all caregivers
- No difficulties reported by 2% of all caregivers
Financial Impact
The financial impact of caregiving was one of the challenges most commonly cited by family caregivers in a 2021 AARP survey. Financial concerns impact the caregiver and those who receive care.
Unpaid caregiving has an economic impact of more than $600 billion. On average, family caregivers spend more than $7,200 per year out of pocket in 2021, which does not reflect rising inflation.
What isn’t included in the AARP survey include lost wages, out-of-pocket costs, stopping personal retirement savings contributions, or the time involved in medical-related tasks caregivers are providing. For the caregiver, it’s important to note the financial and career setbacks they could feel for years to come and prepare accordingly.
Remain Watchful
Caregiving programs and services depend upon federal, state, and county funding. As we are amidst a transition, I encourage you to remain watchful about changes in the coming year.
Speaking of changes, I am holding off on my 2025 book updates until we learn more about what to expect from congressional and executive actions that may impact your planning. Legislative actions impact your planning. The 2024 edition of The Living Planner What to Prepare Now While You Are Living © Check it out HERE is available for those interested.
If this is a good time for you to plan, I’m here should you want to discuss your situation. Send me an Email or Message if you have any questions. For additional information about my work check out @ The Living Planner or @ The Living Planner.
March is here and spring is around the corner! Look for my “March Madness” announcement next week! I’m having fun creating brackets and making this information session worth your time 🌞
Quote for the week by Tia Walker, “Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know was possible.” Take care of you❣️ Lynn
#PlanfortheUnplanned #Can’tPredictCanPrepare