Story perspectives

Caregivers Provide $1 Trillion in Unpaid Care, AARP Reports

3/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) reports in Valuing the Invaluable 2026 that U.S. family caregivers provided $1 trillion of unpaid care in 2024.
Approximately 59 million Americans are caregivers, often balancing this role with full-time jobs.
In Washington, D.C., caregivers contribute $1.64 billion annually, enabling home-based aging and reducing institutional care.
AARP urges policy changes, including tax credits and respite funding, to ease the financial burden on caregivers.

1 of 1

Story summary

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) reports in Valuing the Invaluable 2026 that U.S. family caregivers provided $1 trillion of unpaid care in 2024.
Approximately 59 million Americans are caregivers, often balancing this role with full-time jobs.
In Washington, D.C., caregivers contribute $1.64 billion annually, enabling home-based aging and reducing institutional care.
AARP urges policy changes, including tax credits and respite funding, to ease the financial burden on caregivers.