Family Caregivers Are Under Pressure — These Tools and Tips Can Help
According to the new Caregiving in the United States 2025 report, nearly 1 in 4 Americans above the age of 18 is a family caregiver, providing care for at least one family member or friend with a health problem or disability. Many shoulder these responsibilities unexpectedly and without pay or training. The circumstances and situations vary, but despite differences in education, geography and finances, they have one thing in common: when life’s twists and turns upend everything, they answer the call to help.
Being a caregiver can mean more than the much-needed practical support they provide by helping a sick or injured person with nursing duties or chores around the house. It also means sharing in that patient’s struggle. Shouldering part of the strain, be it physical, financial, or emotional. It is a sacrifice that can profoundly affect the caregiver as well, that can negatively impact their own mental, physical and financial well-being.
“The depth it’s going to take you to, caring for someone, you just do it. You just dig right in,” says Rick, who cares for Suzanne, his wife, who lives with Stage 4 breast cancer. “It doesn’t matter what needs to be done. You get up every day; you’re going to take care of this person before you take care of yourself.”
One major impact is the financial strain caregiving is putting on families. The NAC study found that nearly half of all family caregivers report at least one negative impact to their finances due to the expense of providing ongoing care. Many say they have depleted their savings; some even say they struggle to afford even basic needs, like food.
This is not just an issue of the increased cost of care for the patient, the medication, medical bills, food, shelter, and other daily expenses; it’s also the disruption to the caregivers’ professional lives.
Caregivers struggle with money and training
Partnerships with companies like Pfizer are critical... Healthcare leaders like Pfizer aren't just delivering breakthrough therapies—they're recognizing that family caregivers are essential partners in care healthcare delivery.
Jason Resendez, CEO and President of NAC
Raising awareness through key partnerships
The National Alliance for Caregiving works to make life better for family caregivers. The organization conducts research, like the 2025 report, does policy analysis, and develops national best-practice programs. They also promote advocacy and raising public awareness of the caregiving issues that are impacting so many families and individuals.
"Caregivers have never been more visible than they are today—we see it in culture, media, and political discussions,” says Resendez. “But visibility isn't enough when nearly half of all caregivers experience financial hardship and millions struggle with poor health. We need this increased awareness to translate into concrete action: paid family leave, stronger home and community-based services, and improved access to training and support through health systems and payers like Medicare."
We see more Americans taking on caregiving responsibilities than ever before... more people are identifying as family caregivers and recognizing the vital role they play in their loved ones' health.
Jason Resendez, CEO and President of NAC
NAC seeks to achieve both an increase in awareness and the action needed to support and protect the interest of caregivers by forging partnerships with organizations that can amplify their voice. This includes companies that are leaders in healthcare like Pfizer.
"Partnerships with companies like Pfizer are critical," says Resendez. "Healthcare leaders like Pfizer aren't just delivering breakthrough therapies—they're recognizing that family caregivers are essential partners in healthcare delivery."
In addition to their healthcare innovations, Pfizer is also committed to supporting caregivers through every day, practical resources. For example, Pfizer has worked to develop MyHealthcareFinances.com - a freely available website to help patients and caregivers understand finances related to healthcare and steps that may lower costs. The site is a collaboration between Pfizer and Triage Cancer, joining people with a shared passion for improving healthcare-related financial literacy. By providing tools like this, Pfizer helps ease one of the many challenges caregivers face so they can focus on what truly matters, caring for their loved ones.
Rick and Suzanne with their daughter
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Caregiving in America is at a tipping point. According to a new report conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), a non-profit coalition dedicated focused on issues related to family caregiving, and AARP the number of people who provide ongoing care for an aged or sick family member has increased by more than 20 million people since 2015— an almost 50-percent jump.
"We see more Americans taking on caregiving responsibilities than ever before," says Jason Resendez, CEO and President of NAC. "Several factors are driving this growth. Our society is aging rapidly, and while healthcare innovations are keeping people alive longer, health span isn't keeping up with lifespan—people are living longer but with more complex care needs. At the same time, more people are identifying as family caregivers and recognizing the vital role they play in their loved ones' health."
While many employers are implementing policies to help workers take more time off and work from home to support patients under their care, these benefits typically only apply to salaried employees. Hourly workers often have no choice but to come in late, leave early, or miss work altogether to get loved ones to and from routine doctor appointments and medical emergencies, costing them hours and the accompanying wages.
At the same time, NAC’s study found that the nature of caregiving is changing. In addition to labor-intensive duties like moving the patient to and from bed, or managing hygiene, nutrition, and medication, caregivers find themselves facing more complex tasks, like inserting and removing PICC lines and feeding tubes, and other procedures normally performed by trained nurses and aids. NAC discovered that only 22 percent of family caregivers receive appropriate training for these complex responsibilities.
The personal cost of care
Caregiving often comes at a steep price— emotionally, financially, and professionally. Many caregivers face lost income, added stress, and challenges at work.
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Who are today’s family caregivers?
Caregivers can be anyone. It’s widespread among all age groups, racial and ethnic groups, gender identities.
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Sex
Age
26
35-49 years
%
33
%
50-64 years
18
%
18-34 years
14
%
65-74 years
8
%
75+ years
38
%
Men
61
%
Women
A rapidly growing role
Today, roughly one in four American adults (24 percent) is a family caregiver.
In 2025
per week providing care, and 24% provide 40 or more hours per week.
Half of all working caregivers experience work impacts such as arriving late, leaving early, or taking time off to meet caregiving obligations.
Rick and Resendez also emphasize another finding from the NAC study: More than 50 percent of family caregivers say they find a purpose in caring for their loved one, a data point that everyone can find encouraging in the face of this growing issue in America.
“It’s a commitment that is going to scare you,” says Rick. “But when you’re doing something for that person, it is so rewarding. I want to make a difference in this person’s life. I want to make things better, and I want to be the one doing it, not someone else.”
"Care is hard, that's the reality," says Resendez. "But despite the challenges, family caregivers find profound purpose in their role. We can't expect purpose alone to sustain them—we must build support systems that match their dedication."
Tips for caregivers — and finding purpose
Resendez came to his leadership position at NAC with a deeply personal understanding of the issue. Growing up, he watched his mother raise him and his two siblings while also caring for her aging mother. And it is both through that experience and his work at NAC that he offers the following advice to caregivers who might be struggling:
Take care of yourself. “Just like on the airplane, you must put your oxygen mask on before helping the person beside you,” he says. “Whether it’s respite care or just taking a walk to get the mail, find time for yourself.”
Accept help when it’s offered. “Often, other family members want to help, but they don’t know how,” he says. “When they ask, ‘Is there anything I can do?’ be specific. Ask them to make a meal or come to visit. Don’t be afraid to accept help.”
Working caregivers more often feel isolated (25%) and face negative financial impacts, including taking on more debt (22%), using up short-term savings (31%), and leaving bills unpaid or paying bills late (19%).
Learn about your loved one’s condition. “Work with service providers,” he says. “Knowing about the condition is essential to not only providing the best care for your loved one, but also making it easier on you.”
Keep organized. “Make sure all emergency contacts, medical information, and financial documents are organized and easily accessible,” he says. “This preparation helps you navigate emergencies more effectively.”
Be an advocate. “More and more healthcare systems are recognizing the role of the caregiver,” he says. “More and more family caregivers are stepping up and saying, ‘I need this training.’ Don’t be afraid to express your concerns to healthcare providers.”
Ethnicity
If you want to help a family caregiver in your life, don’t just offer help, take action: “Instead of asking 'Is there anything I can do?' be specific with your offers,” he says. “Say 'I'm going to the grocery store on Tuesday—what can I pick up for you?' or 'I'd like to bring dinner this week—which day works best?' Taking initiative removes the burden of decision-making from an already overwhelmed family caregiver.”
61
%
Non-Hispanic white
16
%
Latino/Hispanic
13
%
African American
6
%
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI)
Many caregivers also handle medical or nursing tasks such as managing catheters, performing injections, or monitoring vital signs.
American adults provided ongoing care to adults or children with a medical condition or disability—representing almost one-quarter of all adults in the United States.
63M
Caregiving has become longer term and more intensive. On average, caregivers spend
27 hours
More than half (55%) provide these types of tasks, yet only 22% received training for this.
Emotional
Financial
Work
One in five family caregivers rate their health as fair or poor, and nearly a quarter say they have difficulty caring for themselves.
View the 2025 Caregiving Data Report here.