Care for America’s Caregivers

Save Family Caregivers Money

Commonsense solutions are on the table. AARP is fighting for policies that ease caregivers’ financial pressures, including two bipartisan bills before Congress that could put money back in their pockets: 

• The Credit for Caring Act (S. 925/H.R. 2036) would create a new, annual, nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible working family caregivers to help address the financial challenges of caring for older parents, spouses and other loved ones while remaining in the workforce. 
• The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act (S. 1565/H.R. 138) would allow people to use their pretax flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts on qualified medical expenses for their parents or parents-in-law. 

Save Family Caregivers Time and Get Some Commonsense Support

Family caregivers are taking on everything —from bathing and meal prep to managing medications, arranging transportation and handling medical tasks — with little or no training. On average, they devote 27 hours a week to providing care, and nearly 1 in 4 provide the equivalent of a full-time job at 40-plus hours per week. They are holding up a broken long-term care system, sacrificing their own health and too often doing it alone.

As our population ages, the president’s administration and Congress can take action to save caregivers time and help them get some support by:

• Ensuring family caregivers are identified and included in their loved one’s care planning and provide them with the training, education and support they need through Medicare, Hospital at Home and transitional care services.
• Expanding access to respite care through annual Medicare payment rules, Medicare Advantage plans or other administrative tools so caregivers can recharge and continue providing care.
• Using caregiver needs assessments to identify what support a caregiver needs, whether it’s training, resources or services, and provide or connect the caregiver to that support.
• Reintroducing and passing the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act, which would promote the 1-800-MEDICARE helpline so caregivers can access critical information. Also, passing the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act (S. 1227/H.R. 2491), which would cut red tape and improve customer service across Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

AARP’s Commitment to Family Caregivers

Family caregivers are the backbone of America’s long-term care system, and AARP is committed to standing with them. From federal and state advocacy to free tools and resources, AARP provides the support caregivers need while fighting for policies that ease their financial, physical, and emotional challenges.

• Robust state advocacy: AARP has led and supported state-level efforts to ease family caregivers’ challenges, helping to pass hundreds of laws nationwide. This includes securing paid family and medical leave in 13 states and the District of Columbia (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington) and advancing tax credits and reimbursement programs in states like Maine, Maryland, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
• GUIDE: AARP has also supported GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience), Medicare’s pilot program that helps keep dementia patients safe and avoid hospital visits.
• AARP state resource guides: AARP’s state-by-state Family Caregiver Resource Guides help family caregivers access key programs, services and agencies right in their community.
• AARP.org/caregiving: AARP’s online caregiving hub provides tools and information available in English and Spanish.
• 211 Caregiver Support Program: Now available in 25 states and Puerto Rico and reaching 14.6 million family caregivers, AARP and United Way Worldwide’s program connects family caregivers to essential services for themselves and their loved ones via the 211 helpline.
• AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group on Facebook: AARP’s official caregiving Facebook group serves as a place for family caregivers nationwide to connect, share practical tips, offer support and discuss their shared experiences.
• I Am a Caregiver: AARP’s nationwide movement empowers family caregivers and those who support them — a growing voting bloc — to raise their hands and show lawmakers that they can’t ignore the needs of so many Americans.
• Research: AARP’s distinguished research and analyses provide insights into what family caregivers need and the federal and state policies that can improve their quality of life, including:
  • 2025 “Caregiving in the U.S.” report
  • State-by-state Long-term Services and Supports Scorecard
  • Polling on family caregiving among registered voters