Caregiving in America Is a $1 Trillion System. It’s Time We Recognize It That Way

Caregiving in America has traditionally been viewed as a personal responsibility. A family matter that is taken care of behind closed doors and not necessarily acknowledged or supported.

However, new statistics show that this is not necessarily true. A recent report by AARP found that family caregivers are not just a secondary support system; they are a primary support system.

Family caregivers provided 49.5 billion hours of care in 2024, equalling more than $1 trillion in economic value.

It is not a secondary system; it is one of the biggest drivers of caregiving in America.

The Hidden Workforce Behind Care

There are millions of people across America who are providing support and care to their aging parents, family members who are disabled, and loved ones who are dealing with a variety of medical issues.

Some of this support and care include:

• Scheduling appointments and managing care plans

• Managing medications and treatments

• Providing support and care

According to AARP, 59 million Americans are currently family caregivers. That is 59 million people who are contributing to this system and providing this type of labor. It is a staggering figure that equates to tens of millions of people who are working full-time.

However, most of this is not compensated.

Caregiving is often in addition to a family member’s full-time job and financial obligations. It is a system that is supported by individuals who are not just dealing with their own personal issues but are also dealing with structural issues.

The True Economic Impact

The true economic impact of caregiving is not just how many hours are put into caregiving; it is how this impacts the economy.

AARP's report reveals that the value of family care provided is now greater than significant areas of healthcare spending, including healthcare costs in the private sector and Medicaid.

At the same time, it is important to note that the intensity of care provided is increasing. For instance, many caregivers are now providing care that was previously provided by trained professionals.

Despite this, it is important to note that the system has remained static and has not developed to match the level of care provided.

More Than a Personal Responsibility

Caregiving is a responsibility that is often seen as a personal responsibility. However, this is far from the truth, as revealed by the data. Caregiving is more than a personal responsibility. It is infrastructure.

• Caregiving allows individuals to live in their homes.

• Caregiving provides a framework for individuals to receive care regardless of where they are.

• Caregiving provides a framework for individuals to receive care despite the gaps that may be left by healthcare systems.

Without caregivers, it is evident that healthcare systems, disability systems, and long-term care facilities would be overwhelmed.

Caregiving is infrastructure. It is a crucial infrastructure that has been ignored for far too long. It is crucial that we begin to build a system that recognizes how care is delivered in this nation.

AADJ Perspective

At the American Association of Disability Justice, we understand how crucial caregivers are in navigating disability systems.

Caregivers are crucial in:

• Supporting individuals in disability systems.

• Providing stability for individuals in times of medical uncertainty.

• Providing a bridge for individuals in times of uncertainty.

This report reveals a reality that we already know. Caregiving is not secondary. Caregiving is infrastructure.

Conclusion

The data reveals that the value of family care provided in this nation is significant.

With over $1 trillion in economic value and tens of billions of hours of care provided each year, caregivers are among the largest and most vital parts of the overall care system.

The next step is not awareness. It is recognition, alignment, and support that meets the depth of the challenge.

To view the full results of the study, visit the report from AARP: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/valuing-the-invaluable-report-2026/