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Support for Family Caregiving Gains Momentum
In 2025 , caregiving continues to present an essential public health issue in the U . S . as our population ages and chronic disease prevalence increases . Family caregivers are providing indispensable support that allows individuals to remain in their homes and communities , however their contributions often go unrecognized — and unpaid .
With family caregiving on the rise , there is growing recognition among voters , policymakers , and employers about the significant challenges posed by caregiving and the need for solutions .
Two recently introduced bills and a proposed tax credit for caregivers would make it easier for family caregivers to save for retirement .
The $ 600 Billion Caregiver Crisis
Terms like “ complex ,” “ inefficient ,” “ unfair ,” and “ broken ” are often used to describe the United States health care system . The U . S . spends more per capita on health care than other developed nations , but this higher spending often does not achieve better outcomes .
The long-term care gap in this country ’ s health care system is one of its most glaring shortcomings . The U . S . doesn ’ t have a national program to help cover long-term care costs , leaving many families to shoulder the burden and expenses associated with caring for family and loved ones who need assistance with activities of daily living .
These “ free ” caregiver services come at a high cost . According to an AARP report , family caregivers contributed 36 billion hours of unpaid care per year in 2021 , valued at $ 600 billion . This figure is a $ 130 billion increase since a similar report in 2019 .
One in five Americans — more than 53 million adults — are now unpaid family caregivers . That number increased by 9.5 million from 2015 to 2020 , and AARP projects that by 2034 , adults age 65 and older will outnumber children younger than 18 for the first time .
Caregivers , on average , spend more than $ 7,200 per year out of pocket and 26 hours per week caring for loved ones . Many also face the dual demands of employment and caregiving , which often involves growing children in addition to aging parents , leading to the term “ sandwich generation .”
Women are still disproportionately likely to provide unpaid care while working full or part time , although more working men are becoming caregivers . Others are forced to step away from work temporarily or altogether to keep up with caregiving , limiting their career growth , job opportunities , and retirement savings .
Voters , Politicians , and Organizations Back More Caregiver Resources
Demographic and economic trends are creating a situation for family caregivers that is unsustainable . Working-age Americans are increasingly forced to choose between their own well-being and the well-being of loved ones . However , more support could be on the way .
Two bipartisan federal bills — the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act and the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act — were introduced in September .
The former would eliminate the income cap on Roth IRA contributions and allow family caregivers to contribute up to $ 7,000 annually toward their retirement savings , while the latter would allow family caregivers to make catch-up contributions to employersponsored retirement plans — an option typically reserved for those older than 50 .
The National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers plan , launched in 2022 , outlines hundreds of specific actions to address the physical , emotional , and financial needs of family caregivers . This past September , the Department of Health and Human Services released a report stating that nearly all of these actions have been completed or are in development .
Additionally , a June 2024 poll found that 86 percent of voters ( 92 percent of Democrats and 82 percent of Republicans ) want policymakers to support caregiving and make it more affordable . More than 80 percent of respondents said that they support paid family leave , caregiver tax credits , and employer incentives for caregivers . To learn more about financial resources and support for family caregivers , join attorney Justin Ellis on Feb . 20 at 6 p . m . at Peters Township Library for a FREE seminar : The Caregiver ’ s Guide — Estate Planning , Care Solutions and Financial Pathways for Aging Loved Ones .
This Industry Insight was written by Justin Ellis . Justin is an Associate Attorney at Zacharia Brown and counsels clients in estate and asset protection planning , Medicaid eligibility for long term care , Veterans ’ benefits eligibility , and estate administration . He also represents clients in Orphans ’ Court litigation , including guardianship proceedings for incapacitated adults . Justin regularly represents hospitals and nursing homes to secure medical and financial decision makers for patients in need of such individuals . Pittsburgh-area office locations include McMurray , Murrysville , McKeesport and Wexford . Contact information – Phone : 724.942.6200 Website : zacbrownlaw . com E-mail : jellis @ zacbrownlaw . com
McMurray / Wexford - 724.942.6200 Murrysville / Versailles - 412.751.5670
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