100 reasons to support family caregivers

We’re giving Congress 100+ reasons to prioritize a tax credit for family caregivers in the first 100 days of the new presidency.

Take a few minutes to read these powerful reasons. Have your own reason? Share it here.

Family caregivers spend on average $7,200+ a year out of their own pockets to help keep their loved ones at home, where they want to be. They pay for home improvements like building ramps or installing grab bars, home care aides and adult day care, transportation, and so much more.
"It would have relieved some of the stress I felt daily due to fear of our family’s impending financial ruin.” - Melissa, CA
"Caregiving is all consuming: emotionally, physically, psychologically and financially." - Claudia, NY
“A person with a younger aged child who is also caring for an older family member could greatly benefit from this new tax credit,” Angela, DC
" I put a pretty good nest egg together for our retirement. Alzheimer's took care of that. I would be much, very much in favor of legislation that would support the caregiver. Being a caregiver for 17 years, I could have used some help." - Walt , WI
"I had to stop his therapy because I can't afford to pay out of pocket. Financially we are struggling… We need help!!!" - Sherry, NJ
"Balancing my work schedule with my father's doctor appointments is the most challenging." - Lorie, NY
"I give, give, give, at work … then I fly to my mom’s and give, give, give for a week. It’s getting harder to balance..." - Sharon, VT
Family caregivers of veterans spend an average of $11,500 a year out of their own pockets on care-related costs.
"I cared for my mother for 27 years... I worked full time during those years and raised two children as well. A tax credit would have been beneficial... I was not able to claim her as a dependent." - Bernita, IN
"I quit my job to care for my mother & lost all my income. You are doing everything for your family member with no time for self care..." - Pamela, CO
40% of caregivers say the emotional stress of juggling caregiving with paid work is their biggest challenge.
"I paid out of my pocket for people to take care of mom during the day. Evenings and weekends, I was the caregiver, but couldn't get a tax break for it. I barely slept while juggling taking care of mom and working. It was horrific." - Mary, DE
“I dipped into my own savings to help with my folks’ care... My father died unexpectedly. Now, I take care of my mom in my home, and I work full-time.” - Carla, ID
8 in 10 caregivers pay for routine expenses for loved ones.
"It's extremely humbling! You have to have tremendous mental and physical strength to move forward everyday not knowing what you will be confronting... " -Tris, FL
“Lawmakers need to recognize the difficulty of caring for a family member at home, but also be cognizant of the taxpayer costs that are saved by not placing a loved one in skilled care...” -Shana, IL
"Any tax break we would get will go back into her care. She will be the beneficiary." - Brenda, OK
"It would have helped me from robbing Peter to pay Paul. I used my savings account, credit cards, and loans to fill the gaps." - Abaree, OH
Almost 30% of caregivers of someone age 50+ also care for a child or grandchild.
102 organizations want Congress to pass a tax credit for family caregivers. www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2024/credit-caring-act
"My mother's health has been declining rapidly, and I've had to juggle a full-time job and caring for her. Between shopping, paying her bills, keeping up with her home, and ensuring her medical appointments are kept and prescriptions are picked up, I am feeling frazzled." - Patricia, NV
"I juggle work, paying the mortgage AND college tuition for two children, all while making sure my mom has what she needs. It keeps me up at night. Money is tight, so every bit helps!" - Jen, NH
"Just to be in a home that would accommodate all of us-- me, my son, and Mom-- I had to live outside my budget from the very beginning. You do what you have to do for your parents. You just close your eyes, cross your fingers, and hope it's all going to work out sometime." - Lynda, IN
“I hope and pray I can care for my husband at home until the end, that I can afford this care. My fear is I will be in financial ruin in the end." - Janet, CT
“Family caregivers who work are still having a tough time. They can’t choose one or the other.” - John Hishta, AARP
“Lawmakers need to recognize the difficulty of caring for a family member at home..." - Shana, IL
"It would help relieve financial stress... As my 85-year-old mom lived with me, my utility bills increased as did groceries." - Denise, NJ
"You do it out of love; they need something, you go get it. At the end of the month, when you're calculating your bills... something's missing." - Abaree Rayfield, OH
16% of working caregivers have turned down a promotion because of their caregiving responsibilities.
"When you take care of a loved one, usually you don’t get to punch a time clock. You don’t get to just go home and forget about it. It’s always there. You’re always on call, and a lot of times it falls on one person. And a lot of times that person has a full-time job themselves." - Alice, KS
"They did not want to be a burden. So when expenses came up... the last thing I was going to do would be complain. They were going through enough already. You find the money for it -- whether it's cutting back on expenses, or borrowing from your pension, or taking out of your savings. You do what you need to do." - Monty Brown, WV
"We need financial resources and supports in place, so that we can continue to be a contributing member of this economy, this society, as well as get my mother the care that is rooted in respect and dignity-- without going broke!" - Jessica Guthrie, VA
“Family caregivers are the backbone of our country’s long-term care system, but they are overwhelmed, exhausted, and financially strained. Our caregivers desperately need support. We urge Congress to pass the Credit for Caring Act to help provide relief and put money back in the pockets of caregivers.” - Nancy LeaMond, AARP
61% of family caregivers work either full or part-time.
"Like many middle-class Americans, we face significant financial strains due to the high cost of caregiving. With 24/7 home care averaging $18,250 per month and lacking Medicaid eligibility, we bear most of the expenses for medical equipment and services ourselves. This financial burden forced me to resign from my job... impacting my ability to save for retirement and plan for my future. This situation underscores the financial sacrifices caregivers make and highlights the importance of the Credit for Caring Act." - Dawnita, MD
“I used all of my savings taking care of mom. Now she is gone, and I have nothing.” - Cher, Kentucky
“I’m grateful for this legislation that people can get on board with — not as partisan, but simply about goodness and taking care of people who need assistance, by people who love them and who will give their all for them — no matter how much it costs.” - Monty Brown, WV
"I helped cover my father's expenses like groceries, healthcare items like adult diapers, gloves, ointments, Band-Aids, and other items Medicare did not cover. Also, making the home safe for him to navigate..." - Greta, TN
37% of working caregivers say inflation has made providing care more difficult.
"For me to do anything I need to find a replacement for me. I don't get vacations…The job is never ending." - Peggy, MI
"She really can't cook anymore, so I have been trying to double what I make at home so I can bring to her... I spend a lot of money on gas, driving all over for my mom's appointments, and more on food so I can double my meals." - Tracey, NY
"At my age, a tax credit may help with monthly food bills.. It's hard juggling life with a disabled spouse!" - Gail, FL
"Unless you have personally cared for someone 24 x 7, you do not totally understand the impact this has on the caregiver. Offering them support and a break from time to time is critical. I did not get that." - Theresa, MN
"Groceries, utility bills, prescriptions, health care...Families caring for a loved one juggle these expenses and more."
"Caregivers need more support... My whole world revolved around her, nothing else. I didn't have any choices, but I would not change any precious moment I had with her." -- Tracy, WA
Nearly half of caregivers have experienced financial setbacks-- and often had to cut spending or dip into savings.
"It's returning the love that you've been given and again I'm just so thankful that I was able to take care of her those times, even though it was rough. But every night, when I'd tuck her in, I'd always say, 'See you later alligator.' And she'd say, 'After while crocodile.' And I'd kiss her good night and I knew she was OK."--Estelle, MI
"Caregiving is a blessing, although challenging at times. The equation should have more pluses than minuses at the end of the day. That is what the Credit for Caring Act could do – help balance the equation leaving the caregivers on the plus side." - Abaree, OH
"I began taking care of my parents in their home, running there 2-3 times a day. I'd make sure they were comfortable, had food, were safe, were clean... I did this for 3 years... My health definitely declined, mainly my emotional state and ability to be sharp with my mind. It was overwhelming." - Liz, MO
"Often I have to take time off to come home from work to care for my Mom. I pay for all our food and our utilities and transportation...[A tax credit] It would help a great deal. It would ease the financial burden." - Salesi, UT
"A caregiver lives two lives, theirs and their loved one's. The problem is that there is still only enough time and energy to live one life." - Todd, TX
Millenial caregivers spend more of their income on caregiving than older generations.
"The expense can be extreme, time consuming... Stress was at a high level... But I wouldn't have changed a thing. To be there when her life was ending, like she was in my beginning." -- Pam, SD
“I shop, cook, clean and bathe her. This is a full-time job with no pay. I had to start taking out of my retirement to make ends meet.” - Beth Whisenhunt, OK
"I need financial assistance in caring for my mother. She needs care in the day while I work, repairs to the home, a ramp built." -- Angela, SC
“We both work full-time from home and spent $30,000 out of pocket last year for several health care needs.” - Sherry Hall, KY
"Caregiving is intensive, difficult and complex work. Those who care for people in their homes lose time, often lose income and also often themselves become ill, burned out, exhausted.- Janet, RI
Family caregivers provide $600 BILLION in unpaid care each year.
"I have to take time off work to take him to his doctor appointments. It limits my time at work and at home. I'm so tired when I finally get to bed." Catherine, OR
“Boom. $20,000 went out the door with this cost and that cost." -Sandy Maas, Goodyear, AZ
"I was getting up at 4 a.m. to help with him before I went to work, and then I was coming home and staying up until 10 or 11 p.m. and sometimes later to take care of him." - Vietta Booker, Water Valley, MS
"It's overwhelming at times... actually most times. And the financial impact is tough." - Katy, PA
"I am a family caregiver for my 83-year-old, widowed mother-in-law. My husband and I often use our money to subsidize her monthly care bills and supplies... Unfortunately, the plans she and her husband made did not take into account their decline in health or the state of the economy." - Kimberly Moser, Norman, OK
“There was a year when I spent $30,000 out of my pocket for caregiving alone... Care is beyond expensive.” -Jessica, VA
"It would help with the cost of having my loved one's oxygen concentrator running 24-7." - John, NY
"I worked full-time and came home to care for my dad immediately after work. It was physically and mentally exausting." -- Barbara, ND
"I paid out more than $1 million in long-term care for my wife, depleting my retirement savings that I worked hard to save." -Walt, WI
More than two-thirds of voters are concerned they won’t have enough money to afford the care they need.
"I work 40 hrs a week. Then I go home and care for my husband… " - Laura, IA
"America needs family caregivers. And they need a tax credit." - Reshma Mehta, AARP
"It would help immensely. I am slowly seeing our savings go down, but I’m able to continue to care for my spouse in our home." - Sharon Zimmer, Onalaska, WI
"Even with the benefit of a larger community support, access to medical resources through my work in healthcare, and advanced education, we struggled financially, emotionally, and socially." - Angie, PA
"I need help as I am sole caregiver. We cannot afford nor do we qualify for assistance. We desperately need help. I have exhausted all avenues. We are affected financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually." -- Debbie, NM
“The high cost of professional care completely drained their modest retirement savings...” -- Melissa Axel, California
"I’m 72 and am the caregiver for my 40-year-old son who is autistic. I’m disabled myself. I fought for years but was never able to get either of us benefits. Life would have been easier if the system hadn't let us down." --- Linda, AK
"You are always worried that [your loved one] is alone while you are working, but the prices of everything is so much that you have to work. Life is not easy, but you do not want your loved ones to suffer." -- Susan, MA
48 million Americans care for a parent, spouse or other loved one.
"You have to give so much more of your time, money, energy. There never seems to be enough. Then you feel so guilty feeling that you can't do enough. Caregivers need way more help financially, physically and mentally than they get. I loved my mom but it was hard." -- Carol, ME
"This is the hardest and most stressful ‘job’ I have ever had. Financially, I have to use my own car and gas--and wear and tear on the vehicle are taking their toll.” - Leslie, AL
"A tax credit would allow me to purchase additional needed things for my husband to help him through his problems with walking." - Susan, IL
"If there had been a tax credit, I would not have had to draw down my 401K as much as I did to help fund my wife's care care." - Stephen, IL
1 in 5 voters is a family caregiver.
"I would be able to concentrate on providing the support my Mom needs, and less on the financial costs." - George, CA
"I have a full-time job, and my wife has multiple sclerosis. I help her do everything, getting dressed, showers, making meals for her everyday... and doing my best to keep her feeling happy and loved. A tax credit would certainly help with the cost of food and cost of travel to doctors." - Alexander, NY
"I am taking care of my husband with dementia. The cost of 24 hour care is draining me physically and financially, " Peneku, HI
“For decades, family caregivers have struggled to help loved ones in need, lacking financial and educational support.” - Nancy LeaMond, AARP
"My wife is going to have to sell her business to have time to take care of her mom - my mother in-law. I do not know how we are going to make it and pay our bills." - Michael, MT
"I wasn't able to work without hiring someone to be with my husband, creating a financial strain. When caregiving, you give up time and activities with other family and friends. " - BJ, NC
“We do need more support. I am the sole caregiver for my spouse. The real struggle is financial... It is difficult just to pay bills and survive.” - Betty
"Years and years of emergency after emergency, managing medical care, managing finances... It was by the skin of our teeth that we survived financially, for sure." - Melissa, CA
“It would be helpful if caregivers had a support system.” - Frank, NE
"We are able to take care of my mom's needs at home. It's difficult when she has multiple doctor appointments to go to and my wife and I both work full time." -- Michael, WY
"“Caregivers need help… The last five years of my mom’s life were hard--working full time and taking care… But I loved her.” Holdina"
"Trying to balance work and taking care of my dad is very stressful and is becoming increasingly challenging. I worry constantly about money and how much longer I can hang on." - Kelli, OK
Family caregivers' unpaid labor saves taxpayers millions each year.
"The Credit for Caring tax credit will help us keep my mother-in-law at home. Unless we get some help, I am afraid it is only a matter of time before we will be unable to meet her needs as her health declines and her dementia worsens... This is a losing race. Please help us and others like us." - Kimberly, OK
"Financial assistance to caregivers would be very helpful to pay for an aid while I buy groceries, pick up medications, but especially for just some time away to enjoy alone without worry." -- John, LA
"Keeping John at home is far less expensive than placing him in a memory care facility or nursing home… The Credit for Caring Act tax credit would ease the burden of expenses required to care for John in our home." - Jane Cocking, Dallas, GA
"I'm trying to be a caregiver, factory worker, take care of my home, pay my car note and transition my mother to find her new doctors." - Marcia, AR