(Image: A senior man in wheelchair is with caregiver at home as she helps him into his chair.)
November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to honor and recognize caregivers, who offer their time, energy, and love to support the well-being and independence of their family members and clients. This, in turn, enriches our society by increasing inclusion, participation, freedom and accessibility for many. CPWD would like to shine a light on the invaluable contributions caregivers make, as a way of offering appreciation, and deepening our understanding of this important role.
An elderly man using a walker walks down a path outside with his son and grandson.
Caregiving is the keystone of the arch of a journey that touches many lives, connecting generations and communities in a profound cycle of support. If there is one thing we can guarantee about life, it’s that no one can travel it entirely alone. We all enter this world completely dependent on the care and attention of others, and for many, the end of life mirrors the beginning in this need for compassionate care. Throughout our lives, from childhood to adulthood, we rely on others during times of illness, injury, or disability. Caregivers are the threads that weave these pivotal moments together, offering the care and respect we deserve.
As we age, the odds of needing care grow. According to the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS), 46% of Americans aged 75 and older have a disability, while 24% of those aged 65 to 74 experience a disability. These figures reveal a reality that touches families everywhere—many older adults will require the care of dedicated family members or other caregivers to maintain their quality of life. Often, family members become de facto caregivers due to financial barriers or lack of available and appropriate professional caregiving services.
In 2023, the American Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that 37.1 million people provided unpaid care to family members, shouldering responsibilities that often come with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. These caregivers are daughters, sons, spouses, siblings, and friends who step in, often unexpectedly, to support those they love. For many, the role involves complex medical tasks, emotional fortitude, and an never-ending balancing act between caregiving duties, employment, and personal well-being.
A Personal Story
From a personal perspective, I have walked the path of both family and professional caregiver. My beloved grandfather, a brilliant engineer who designed jets for NASA and Boeing, fell victim to Alzheimer’s Disease. My father also succumbed to Parkinson’s. Before their passing, I worked as a professional caregiver specializing in clients with these very conditions. I saw the heavy toll caregiving took on families, the moments of exhaustion, and the fragile joys.
In several instances, my role as a stand-in caregiver was simply to provide respite care—a brief window of relief so a family member could catch their breath. I’ll never forget a woman who burst into tears in my arms when she was finally able to take a pottery class, her first act of self-care in five years of caring for her immobile daughter. Such moments illuminate the quiet, often unseen sacrifices caregivers make daily.
When caring for a loved one, we must acknowledge the emotional toll. My grandfather was my hero—wise, kind, and brilliant. As his Alzheimer’s progressed, I witnessed his light dim, leaving a deep void. Though surrounded by a strong support system, our journey as his caregivers was emotionally debilitating . Many families experience similar burdens without respite, and for some, escape isn’t an option due to high costs and limited support.
The Economic Impact of Caregiving
The financial implications of caregiving are profound. In 2021, the estimated economic value of unpaid caregiving in the U.S. was around $600 billion. This is a largely unacknowledged financial contribution to the healthcare system. Family caregivers often face significant out-of-pocket expenses, averaging around $7,200 annually on caregiving-related costs, which can include medical expenses, home modifications, and other necessities.
Simultaneously, the United States is facing a massive shortage of professional caregivers—a situation expected to worsen in the coming years. As of 2021, we need approximately 151,000 more caregivers to meet demand, and projections indicate this will swell to 355,000 by 2040. This shortage has led to increased costs and longer wait times for essential services, adding more stress to families in need. The demand for home-care workers is expected to leave 4.6 million unfilled jobs by 2032, creating a massive gap in care.
The caregiving industry faces a painful paradox: hiring professional caregivers is expensive for families, yet caregivers themselves often earn low wages, contributing to the workforce shortage. In 2023, the median annual cost for home caregiving was $75,500, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. Despite this high cost for families, wages for caregivers unfortunately remain very low, often below living wage levels. In many states, median wages for home health and personal care aides are lower than those for entry-level retail positions by an average of $3.15 per hour. Wage disparity makes it challenging to attract and retain qualified caregivers, exacerbating the shortage and increasing costs for families. I myself left the industry because I could no longer afford to live off my earnings, in spite of the fact I truly loved the work I did. I am just one of many who feel the call to help in this way, but cannot support ourselves on low wages..
Addressing the Crisis
A mother and daughter hug. The daughter has IDD.
The challenges faced by family and professional caregivers have not gone unnoticed, and several policy initiatives are being proposed and considered to offer relief. Among the most promising measures is the expansion of Medicare coverage to include long-term home care services. Proposed in October 2024 by Vice President Kamala Harris, this initiative seeks to reduce families’ financial strains and shift the focus away from costly institutional care. While it remains in its early stages and requires legislative approval, it represents a potential turning point in how we support aging populations and people with disabilities. If passed, it could help families keep their loved ones at home, while also offering financial support to caregivers themselves—a win-win solution that acknowledges caregiving’s foundational role in society.
Another proposal making waves is the Credit for Caring Act, which aims to provide a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible family caregivers. This credit would ease the financial burden of caregiving expenses such as home care aides, adult day care, and respite care. Reintroduced to Congress in early 2024, it reflects a growing recognition of the need to support the economic impact on those providing care. While the bill is still under consideration and has yet to pass, it offers hope to many families that meaningful financial relief could be on the horizon.
Change is also happening at the state level. Colorado recently passed legislation creating a refundable state income tax credit for qualifying care workers. Starting in the 2025 tax year, this measure is designed to help reduce the financial pressure on caregivers who often earn low wages despite performing essential work. By providing direct financial support, it acknowledges the value of caregiving, and aims to make the profession more financially sustainable, hopefully attracting more workers to the field.
These policy initiatives signal a turning tide, a growing awareness that caregiving must be valued, supported, and fairly compensated. Imagine a future where caregivers no longer have to choose between providing care and their own financial stability, where their sacrifices are honored with real, tangible support. This is a future worth striving for— when we uplift caregivers, we strengthen the very fabric of our society.
As we recognize National Family Caregivers Month, we should reflect not only on the staggering statistics and financial burdens, but also on the real lives behind them. Each data point represents a person navigating the highs and lows of caregiving—a daughter administering medications, a spouse juggling work and household duties, a friend providing companionship in times of darkness.
True change requires advocacy for policies that value caregiving as the essential service it is. Let’s work towards a world where caregivers earn living wages, where families are supported, and where care is accessible and dignified. We all have a role in creating this future—whether through policy change, community support, or simply recognizing and uplifting those who give so much. Let us not only honor caregivers but commit to standing beside them, lifting them up, and creating a society where their contributions are recognized, celebrated, and supported.
