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The Invisible Workforce Powering Michigan’s Care Economy
Michigan family caregivers provided 1.33 billion hours of care in 2024, valued at $27 billion
Getty Images
They don’t clock in. They don’t get a paycheck. And most of the time, they don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Across Michigan and the nation, family caregivers quietly show up every day, giving their time, energy and heart to care for loved ones. According to a new AARP report, Valuing the Invaluable 2026, Michigan’s family caregivers provide an astonishing 1.33 billion hours of care each year. That care is mostly unpaid, yet it forms the backbone of our long-term care system and enables millions of older adults to live independently at home.
Without family caregivers, far more Michiganders would have no choice but to rely on expensive institutional care. This would drive up costs for families, taxpayers and public programs alike. In short, caregivers aren’t just supporting loved ones, they’re holding up the care system.
“Family caregivers are a major economic force that fill critical gaps in our health care system,” said Paula D. Cunningham, AARP Michigan State Director. “The economic value they provide now exceeds $27 billion annually, yet this care often comes at a significant cost to caregivers’ own health, financial security, and well‑being. AARP is elevating this critical issue and fighting to save family caregivers time and money.”
The report’s findings put the scale, and value, of caregiving into sharp focus:
- 1.52 million Michiganders care for adult loved ones, including parents, spouses, neighbors, and friends. Together, they provide 1.33 billion hours of care each year. This work would be worth $27 billion annually if paid at market rates.
Zoom out, and the impact is even more striking:
- 59 million Americans provide care for adults, contributing 49.5 billion hours of care every year, care valued at $1.01 trillion annually.
- That’s the equivalent of nearly 24 million full‑time workers, or about 17% of the entire U.S. full‑time workforce.
- The economic value of family caregiving exceeds all federal, state and local Medicaid spending combined and nearly doubles total out‑of‑pocket health care spending nationwide.
Family caregivers need support. Luckily, there are some programs already in place.
Thanks to AARP’s advocacy, Michigan has approved funding to establish caregiver resource centers across the state. Launched earlier this year by the Area Agency on Aging Association, the MI Caregiver Connection serves as a one‑stop online hub, connecting caregivers with local Area Agencies on Aging for support and services. Caregivers can also turn to AARP Michigan’s caregiving resource guide to find programs, services and agencies right in their own communities.
And through AARP’s partnership with United Way Worldwide, caregivers in 28 states, including Michigan, can call 211 to access local support, such as in-home care, respite care, transportation and other essential services.
Family caregivers may be an invisible workforce, but their impact is anything but invisible.
To learn more and read the full report, visit http://www.aarp.org/caregiving.
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