Family caregivers, often unpaid family members supporting aging loved ones, are a cornerstone of the U.S. care system, contributing an estimated $1.01 trillion in economic value annually, according to AARP’s Valuing the Invaluable 2026 report. In 2024 alone, roughly 59 million caregivers provided 49.5 billion hours of care, equivalent to nearly 24 million full-time workers, highlighting the immense scale of this largely unseen workforce helps adults with disabilities and complex health needs remain at home and connected to their communities.
Despite this impact, most caregivers receive no pay and often face financial, emotional, and career challenges, while balancing jobs and providing an average of 27 hours of care per week. As caregiving needs grow more complex, the report points out an urgent need for stronger recognition, practical supports, and policiesthat reflect the realities families face.
For our community, this is also a moment to make caregiving more visible. Family members, self-advocates, and professionals can help by sharing their experiences, participating in local groups or advisory efforts, and contributing their perspectives to conversations that shape services and supports. These shared voices help ensure that future programs, policies, and resources reflect real needs and lived experience.