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Ahead of National Family Caregivers Month, AARP New Jersey Releases State-Level Data Detailing Caregiving Prevalence in The Garden State
New Data Show 26% Of Adults In New Jersey Provide Care, Spotlighting Urgent Need for Action to Support Family Caregivers
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Woman supporting a sick friend
New Data Show 26% Of Adults In New Jersey Provide Care, Spotlighting Urgent Need for Action to Support Family Caregivers
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ— New AARP caregiving data released today, Caregiving in the U.S. 2025: Caring Across States, finds that 26% of adults in New Jersey — nearly 2 million people — are family caregivers, providing largely unpaid and unsupported care to older parents, spouses, and other loved ones. The data can be found here.
“When a loved one needs help, family members, friends, and neighbors step up — that’s what we do,” said <font color="ec1300">Chris Widelo, AARP New Jersey State Director</font>. “But it takes more than love to care for a loved one. It takes the right policies—job protection, financial relief, and community support—to ensure caregivers aren’t doing it alone. Too often, caregivers carry this responsibility alone, putting their finances, health, and jobs at risk. As our state population ages, the demand for care will only grow. With the release of this new data and ahead of the 2026 legislative session, AARP New Jersey is urging policymakers at every level to act now to help family caregivers save money, time, and get the support they need.”
Family caregivers provide $17.6 billion in unpaid care each year in New Jersey, helping family members live independently at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Their caregiving responsibilities range from bathing and meal prep to managing medications, arranging transportation and handling medical tasks, with little or no training.
<font color="ec1300">Seven in ten caregivers assist with at least one activity of daily living (ADL)</font> such as bathing, dressing, or feeding, and <font color="ec1300">all caregivers assist with instrumental activities</font> like managing finances, shopping, or transportation.
- 54% help with medical or nursing tasks
- 47% have been providing care for three years or longer.
- 21% provide care 40 hours a week or more.
- 40% have experienced a negative financial impact—using up savings, taking on debt, or cutting back on essentials.
- 75% of caregivers work while providing care, with 41% working hourly jobs.
But the toll on our family caregivers is great— financially, physically, and emotionally.
- 80% of caregivers pay out of their own pockets to help meet their loved ones’ needs, averaging $7,200 each year, or 25% of their income.
- In New Jersey, 40% of family caregivers report financial setbacks— taking on debt, draining savings, or struggling to afford basics like food and medicine.
- 75% of our state’s caregivers are also juggling full- or part-time jobs. Many must reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely due to caregiving responsibilities, jeopardizing their own long-term financial security.
AARP New Jersey is fighting for commonsense solutions to save caregivers money and time and provide greater support:
<font color="ec1300">AARP New Jersey is fighting for commonsense solutions to save caregivers money and time and provide greater support:</font>
- Expanding Paid Family Leave (A3451/S2950) to extend job protection under the New Jersey Family Leave Act to employees of smaller businesses (those with five or more workers), ensuring caregivers don’t risk losing their jobs to care for loved ones.
- Increasing Support for Family Caregivers (A1581/S2303) by creating a fully refundable tax credit of up to $675 for expenses related to caring for a senior family member—recognizing the essential, unpaid role caregivers play in our long-term care system.
- Improving Financial Transparency in Nursing Homes (S1948/A1872) by requiring owner-certified audited financial statements, ensuring public and private funds go toward resident care rather than profit
- Expanding Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) so more older adults can remain in their homes, as 77% of adults 50+ say they want to age in place.
- Bolstering the Long-Term Care Workforce though better pay, recruitment, and training for direct care workers and aides who support family caregivers.
- Developing Small House Nursing Homes to improve safety and quality of life in long-term care settings.
These state priorities build on AARP’s national advocacy for working caregivers. At the federal level, AARP is supporting the <font color="ec1300">Credit for Caring Act</font> , which would provide up to a $5,000 federal tax credit to working caregivers, and the <font color="ec1300">Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act</font> , which would expand the use of flexible spending and health savings accounts.
And at the federal level, AARP is working to save caregivers money through the Credit for Caring Act, a proposed federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for working caregivers, and the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, which would expand flexible spending and health savings account uses.
This National Family Caregivers Month, AARP New Jersey encourages everyone to show support for caregivers and to join the growing movement of Americans raising their voices for change. Join AARP’s I Am A Caregiver movement and tell lawmakers it’s time to support those who care.
To access free caregiver tools and local resource guides, visit:
- AARP’s state-by-state Family Caregiver Resource Guides to help family caregivers access key programs, services, and agencies right in their community.
- AARP’s online Caregiving Hub with tools and information available in English and Spanish.
- AARP and United Way Worldwide’ s 211 program connects family caregivers to essential local services for themselves and their loved ones via the 211 helpline.
- 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.
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