Caregiving for adult relatives can cost thousands. AARP survey finds support could matter to midterm voters

For millions of families, caregiving is not just a personal responsibility; it is a growing affordability challenge. And the issue is emerging in the 2026 midterm elections. Some 59 million Americans provide care for an adult family member, neighbor or friend, according to a recent report from AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for people age 50 and older. Many of those caregivers face mounting financial pressures as they balance the cost of helping loved ones with their own household expenses, jobs and retirement security. A new study from Edward Jones found that Americans caring for aging family members spend an average of $8,737 per year out of pocket and that their personal retirement savings and careers bear the brunt. Results of a new AARP survey show that in 43 competitive congressional districts, most of the likely voters age 50 and older said they're more likely to vote for candidates who back policies that support unpaid caregivers helping loved ones. Because voters 50 and up comprise one of the most important voting blocs, the survey shows that support could make a difference in closely contested races. Among those older surveyed voters, 77% said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers who help pay for a loved one's care. Nearly as many, 75%, said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for support for unpaid family caregivers helping loved ones remain in their homes. Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research conducted the survey for AARP, interviewing 1,368 likely voters age 18 and older, including 848 voters age 50 and older, from Oct. 1-5. The margin of error for the 1,368 sample was plus or minus 2.7 percentage points. The data was weighted to represent the voting population of the targeted congressional districts nationwide. Voters ages 50 and above "are going to be the deciders in the election," said Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research, a public opinion research and consulting firm. "So for candidates looking to win over this critical voting bloc, a focus on helping caregivers would go a long way in helping them make inroads." Caregivers face greater financial insecurity Temple, Texas, resident Brittney Saunders Graves, a 33-year-old part-time counselor, is the primary family caregiver for her 62-year-old mother, Tracey Saunders, who had a debilitating stroke in 2020. Graves, a U.S. Army veteran who is also a stroke survivor, said she spends an average of $600 a month to help pay for her mother's care. Those expenses include transportation, copays and medications. "After we set aside the necessities, leaving out medication [and] doctor's appointments, she only has around $400 to cover food," Graves said. The financial impact of caregiving can extend well beyond immediate out-of-pocket expenses. Caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to have fewer financial assets and report debt problems, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey. About one-third, 34%, of caregivers reported having less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25% of non-caregivers. More than two-thirds, 69%, of caregivers said debt is a problem, compared with 57% of non-caregivers. These financial pressures can make it harder for caregivers to build savings, manage household expenses and prepare for retirement. The challenges are especially significant for Americans in the so-called sandwich generation, who may support aging parents while also raising children or managing other family responsibilities, said Keesha Middlemass, a political science professor at Howard University. "The sandwich generation is only going to get larger” as the population ages and lifespans increase, Middlemass said. Sarah Smitley, a 50-year-old in Sylvania, Ohio, cares for her 20-year-old daughter with autism, and also helps her aging parents. Smitley works as a family navigator for a nonprofit organization that supports people with mental illness. She said she'd like political leaders to understand the affordability issues many caregivers face. "Maybe we can't take off time, or we've run out of vacation pay, or we know medical costs are high even with insurance and just out of pocket that it's not easy to come up with another $50," Smitley said. Medicaid cuts could add to caregiver strain Some Medicaid cuts under President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" will take effect in January. Without government assistance, unpaid family caregivers, who often must cover their loved ones' expenses, would face greater financial challenges, Middlemass said. "The future cuts, actually, that are going to come to Medicaid and Medicare in 2027 are going to be devastating for those in the lower incomes, but also workers that are in the care economy," she said. Paula Bussard, a 71-year-old retiree in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, said she worries the cuts will mean fewer doctors, home health agencies and medical equipment providers will accept Medicaid. Bussard cares for her 42-year-old son, Alex, who has complicated medical needs since surviving a brain tumor and brain hemorrhage. She said the family already spends $5,000 to $7,000 annually to care for their son at home, including accommodations and supplies not covered by Medicaid. "Political candidates need to know that every human being deserves dignity, respect and health care," Bussard said. She added that Medicaid is crucial for millions of Americans who cannot work and "helps their families take care of them in the home." But families already struggling with the cost of caregiving say campaign proposals may not necessarily translate into confidence that meaningful help is coming. "When you look at, okay, this is being advertised, but then you peel it back, it's like, will this happen? Will this happen?" Graves said. SIGN UP: Money 101 is an 8-week learning course on financial freedom, delivered weekly to your inbox. Sign up here. It is also available in Spanish.