According to the CAregiving in the US 2025 Research Report authored by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, there are 63 million Americans who are providing care for either an older adult, an individual with a serious illness and/or an individual with a disability (NAFC, 2025). Twenty nine percent of caregivers, or 16 million people, caring for family are considered to be sandwich caregivers where they are caring for both an adult and a minor child at home simultaneously (NAFC, 2025). Currently, the average amount of time that caregivers spend providing care for a family member is 27 hours each week and 24% of the caregivers provide 40 hours or more each week (NAFC, 2025). Thirty percent of caregivers have provided care for at least five years (NAFC, 2025). Fifty six percent of caregivers report not having a choice in them becoming a caregiver (NAFC, 2025).
There are many impacts of caregiving on the individuals providing the care. Studies have shown that caregivers experience more depressive symptoms annd mental health issues than non-caregivers. Between 40 and 70% of caregivers report having clinically significant depressive symptoms with 1/4 to 1/2 meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depression (FCA, 2026). In addition to depression symptoms, caregivers also report higher levels of frustration and guilt. Sixteen percent report being emptionally strained. Loss of self-identity and self-acceptance as well as feeling less in control are all also experienced by caregivers. It is important to also consider that when caregivers experience stress long-term, they are at increased risk of cognitive decline which may show up as loss in short term memory, attention and verbal IQ (FCA, 2026). Women caregivers experience more negative health effects than male caregivers, particularly when providing 36 hours of care each week (FCA, 2026). There is an increased use of alcohol and substances among caregivers. Three fifths of caregivers report either fair or poor health. Physical effects of caregiving include:
- 2X risk of
- heart disease
- heart attack
- cancer
- diabetes
- arthritis
- increased rate of
- acid reflux
- headache
- pain
- obesity
- diminished immune response
- frequent infections
- slower wound healing
- stress
- 63% higher mortality rate
- with hospitalization of individual being cared for is an associated increased risk of death of the caregiver (FCA, 2026).
Because there is a lot in providing care for family members, caregivers can become both physically and mentally exhausted. Caregiver burnout can result because of this. Careivers can esperience negative physical and mental consequences of caregiver burnout. While caring for others, it is important to take steps to perform self-care. Self-care steps include:
- well balanced diet
- exercise
- relaxation techniques
- take care of your own physical health
- maintain medical/dental appointments
- sleep hygiene
- maintain hydration
- ask for assistance
- find and use resources - including respite care
- incorporate assistance from other family members (UCSF, 2026)(The Senior Alliance, 2026)
- cooking meals
- helping with chores
- running errands
- provide respite time
- encourage them to make their own health a priority
- check in with them regularly (CAN, 2026).
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