AARP Exclusive: GOP Presidential Hopefuls Promise Support for Caregivers

In exclusive interviews with AARP, four leading Republican presidential hopefuls say if their campaign for the White House is successful they will support the more than 48 million family caregivers who help their loved ones each and every day.

As part of its national effort to build support for caregivers, AARP asked leading GOP primary candidates how each would help family caregivers if elected president. Video answers from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former President Donald Trump appear below.

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“We need to get politicians and potential leaders, particularly at the presidential level, to focus on caregiving as a public policy issue that needs to be addressed over the next several years,” says John Hishta, AARP senior vice president for campaigns. “And the way to do that is to start asking them questions while they are running for office.”

As part of its “I Am a Caregiver” initiative, AARP is asking Americans to become part of a dedicated group of supporters who will push candidates and elected officials to back solutions that will give relief to family caregivers. AARP estimates that family caregivers spend, on average, $7,200 of their own money each year to help their loved ones.

 “Right now, there are more than 48 million caregivers in this country who spend an enormous amount of money out of their own pockets and have to take off work” to care for their loved ones, Hishta says. “They deal with issues of time, money and resources to the point where it’s becoming challenging for a lot of people in this country, and policymakers have not addressed this issue.” AARP has been advocating for common-sense solutions that include paid leave, family caregiving tax credits and more.

Each GOP candidate was asked: “48 million Americans help their loved ones each day to remain independent in their homes and communities. These family caregivers are unpaid and sacrifice time and money, including paying out of pocket annually on average $7,200. How would you help family caregivers?” They were then given up to two minutes to respond. The candidates’ recorded answers are included below in separate videos, which are ordered alphabetically by the candidates’ last names.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy

Former President Donald Trump