Family Caregivers in Ohio

Caregiving is a common part of life in Ohio and it comes with real financial, emotional, and workplace challenges. More than 2 million Ohio adults provide unpaid care to a loved one, yet most voters believe caregivers are not getting enough support from state government or employers.  Ohio voters overwhelmingly agree that more should be done to support unpaid caregivers. Strong support exists for a caregiver tax credit, workplace protections and flexibility, and increased funding for home and community-based services.

Four in 10 caregivers spend 20 hours or more per week providing care — the equivalent of a part-time job, and nearly half live with the person they care for.  Six in 10 caregivers have worked either full or part-time while providing care and many have had to adjust their schedules, reduce hours, take leave, or turn down promotions. Balancing work and caregiving is a major source of stress for Ohio caregivers.

Caregiving often comes with significant out-of-pocket expenses — 93% of Ohio caregivers have spent their own money to provide care, most commonly on meals, groceries, or household goods; transportation; housing costs; prescriptions; and home modifications. Seven in 10 caregivers experienced at least one financial hardship such as taking on more debt, stopping saving, using up personal short-term savings, or leaving bills unpaid or paying them late.

Family caregivers play a vital role in Ohio's health and long-term care system — often at personal financial and emotional cost.  Now is the time to act to better support Ohio's family caregivers.

Methodology

In 2025, AARP surveyed 1,204 registered voters age 30-plus to better understand who family caregivers are, the types of care they provide, the costs they shoulder, and the kinds of support Ohioans believe caregivers need. 

For more information, please contact Terri Guengerich at tguengerich@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.