The importance of family caregivers

In the U.S., about 14% of the population, or about 37.1 million people, provided unpaid eldercare in 2021-2022. Most of those providers (59%) were women, with those aged 45 to 64 being the most likely to provide care, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to the BLS’s study, the majority of eldercare providers spent an average of 3.6 hours per day on caregiving, which can include assisting with daily tasks like grooming, meal preparation, and transportation. Caregivers often provide support for loved ones living outside their households, with 81% of caregivers caring for individuals outside their home.

Notably, caregivers who were parents of young children—often part of the "sandwich generation"—also care for elderly parents, balancing both responsibilities. These caregivers tend to spend about 2.4 hours per day providing eldercare on the days they do so. The role of caregiving continues to grow, with many individuals managing complex responsibilities, including providing physical, emotional, and social support.

The Balancing Act

A 2023 survey by AARP found that caregiving for an adult is a significant stressor for many workers, with 67% of family caregivers struggling to balance their jobs and caregiving responsibilities. Many have had to adjust their work schedules, including shifting to part-time work, turning down promotions, or even leaving their jobs to care for a loved one.

While progress has been made since 2020, with more employers offering caregiver-related benefits, challenges remain, especially for remote workers and those providing substantial care hours. The report also highlighted that inflation has worsened caregiving difficulties for many. With the U.S. aging population set to surpass the number of children by 2030, employers must offer caregivers flexible schedules, paid leave, support groups, and training for managers to create a caregiver-friendly work environment.