Taking care of an aging parent, sick spouse, or family member with a disability can become a full-time responsibility, even when nobody is paying you to do it. But new research reveals a troubling reality: Millions of Americans are putting their own health at risk while trying to care for someone else.
According to the AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving’s Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report, one in five family caregivers rates their health as fair or poor, while nearly one-quarter report difficulty caring for their own health because of caregiving responsibilities. The findings are especially concerning as more Americans take on caregiving roles, often while managing jobs, household expenses, and their own medical needs.
