AARP Hearing Center
Shopping and caregiving often present a challenging combination. Caregivers must juggle the responsibilities of buying essential food, supplies and medication while managing the needs of their care recipients. A recent survey by AARP Research highlights these difficulties, revealing that 37% of caregivers find shopping more challenging due to their caregiving duties. The survey sheds light on the concerns, struggles, and behaviors of caregivers, offering valuable insights for businesses.
Shopping and being a caregiver don’t always mix. But buying needed food, supplies and medication is a task that most caregivers must navigate.
Identifying the challenges caregivers face while shopping is the focus of a recent survey from AARP Research, which found that 37% of respondents feel caregiving makes shopping more difficult. The survey results offer insights into the concerns, struggles and behaviors of those who provide care to an adult loved one and also points to certain implications, including those for businesses.
Most caregivers (92%) report shopping in person for their care recipient, with two-thirds (67%) bringing the person they care for with them sometimes or often. Top concerns about bringing a care recipient shopping include exposure to illness and lack of seating, especially among caregivers ages 18–34.
Finding time and having the financial health to make purchases are the biggest hindrances to shopping, caregivers report.
Cumbersome navigation
Narrow aisles, shortfalls in the number of accessible parking spots, lack of single-use restroom stalls and limited transportation options are all common challenges confronting caregivers when shopping. Many must consider wheelchair accessibility and finding assistance from knowledgeable staff who understand the unique needs a of a family caregiver.
Knowing what to buy and where to go to find needed supplies are also common questions facing caregivers. About one-third of caregivers reported that having information to assist them in pharmacies and stores would be helpful.
As for ways stores can make things easier for caregivers navigating shopping needs, pamphlets, signs, and QR codes could help. Caregivers under age 50, who are more likely to pay attention to information located around a pharmacy or store, say getting information from such sources would be helpful.
Educating caregivers and retailers
The survey suggests that work must continue in educating both caregivers and retailers about the common task of shopping. Retailers can improve accessibility in stores, including adding seating throughout stores. And there are opportunities to educate caregivers on how to ease shopping with their care recipient.
Methodology
These findings are based on a survey conducted April 14–25, 2025, among U.S. caregivers age 18 and over. The sample of 1,001 was surveyed by ANR Research with data weighted by the US Census Division, gender, race & ethnicity, and age according to 2020 ACS 5-year estimates.
For more information, please contact Cheryl Lampkin at clampkin@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.
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