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Family Caregivers Give So Much. This November, for National Family Caregivers Month, AARP Gives Back

Explore free caregiving events and access to local resources and support in communities nationwide

Mabel Lui,

AARP

Published August 26, 2026

Myra Spijer helps her husband, Wayne, get ready in their bedroom in Shoreview, Minn.

Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber

Key takeaways

Nearly 59 million Americans provide unpaid care for loved ones, friends or neighbors with complex medical conditions or disabilities.
During National Family Caregivers Month, AARP will host free events to connect caregivers with local resources and support.
Caregivers can access information, community connections, workshops, virtual programs and practical tools close to home.

Every day, nearly 59 million Americans care for a parent, spouse, family member, friend or neighbor with a complex medical condition or disability. Together, these caregivers provide nearly 50 billion hours of unpaid care each year — work that exceeds the nation’s annual Medicaid spending and adds up to a total economic value of $1.01 trillion. While caregiving can be deeply rewarding, it often comes with financial strain, emotional stress, competing responsibilities and little time to focus on finding help. That’s why this November, during National Family Caregivers Month, AARP is hosting free caregiving events and community outreach designed to meet caregivers where they are.

Throughout the month, AARP state offices will partner with local organizations, health care providers and community leaders to bring caregiving resources directly to neighborhoods nationwide, making it easier than ever for caregivers to find support close to home. Whether you’re looking for informative guides, wellness resources or simply reassurance that you’re not alone, these in-person and virtual events aim to make support accessible to those who are caring for a loved one today or preparing for tomorrow.

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“Family caregivers spend so much of their time taking care of others that they often put their own needs last,” says Brad Anderson, AARP’s vice president for community engagement.

“We designed these community events to make it as easy as possible for caregivers to access trusted resources, practical support and local connections. Whether someone has five minutes or an afternoon, we want them to know AARP is here to help.”

Easy access to resources, local organizations

One featured AARP experience is the Care Pit Stop — a convenient drive-through event created with busy caregivers in mind. Participants remain in their vehicles while receiving caregiving educational materials, information about local services and helpful tools they can use right away. In just a few minutes, caregivers can access trusted information and connect with community organizations without lining up care for a loved one or rearranging an already busy day.

Many communities will also offer workshops, resource fairs and virtual programs that provide opportunities to learn from experts, connect with local organizations and hear from others who understand the caregiving journey.

Every event will also connect caregivers to AARP’s free caregiving tools and resources, which cover topics such as caring for aging loved ones, managing finances, balancing work and caregiving, planning for the future and taking care of yourself along the way.

Find an event near you.

Join Our Fight for Caregivers

Here’s how you can help:

Sign up to become part of AARP’s online advocacy network and help family caregivers get the support they need.
Find out more about how we’re fighting for you every day in Congress and across the country.
AARP is your fierce defender on the issues that matter to people 50-plus. Become a member or renew your membership today.

The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Mabel Lui is an associate editor at AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. She was previously a culture reporter at the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, where she wrote about food, travel, health, entertainment, the arts and more.