$8,737: The average annual out-of-pocket cost of family caregiving

New AARP survey results released this week identify caregiving costs as a decisive factor for voters in 43 competitive congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. The data suggests that policy support for unpaid family caregivers could influence which candidates win in close races. This financial burden is a growing concern for a demographic that represents a major voting bloc.

The economic weight of informal care is substantial. According to a new study from Edward Jones, Americans who care for aging family members spend an average of $8,737 per year out of pocket. These expenses strain personal retirement savings and careers. The Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey found that 34% of caregivers have less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25% of non-caregivers. Additionally, 69% of caregivers report that debt is a problem, a higher rate than the 57% reported by non-caregivers.

The AARP survey found that among likely voters age 50 and older in those 43 districts, 77% said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate advocating for a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers. A similar proportion, 75%, said they would favor candidates supporting policies that help loved ones remain in their homes. Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research conducted the survey, interviewing 1,368 likely voters age 18 and older, including 848 voters age 50 and older, from October 1 to 5. The margin of error for the 1,368-person sample was plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.

Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research, noted that voters over 50 are often the deciders in elections. He stated that a focus on helping caregivers would help candidates make inroads with this group. Keesha Middlemass, a political science professor at Howard University, pointed to the growing size of the sandwich generation, who support aging parents while raising children. She warned that future Medicaid and Medicare cuts, including those under President Donald Trump's legislation taking effect in January, could be devastating for lower-income workers in the care economy.

Brittney Saunders Graves, a 33-year-old part-time counselor in Temple, Texas, provides primary care for her 62-year-old mother, who suffered a stroke in 2020. Graves, a U.S. Army veteran, spends an average of $600 a month on transportation, copays, and medications. She said her mother has only about $400 left for food after paying for necessities. In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 71-year-old retiree Paula Bussard cares for her 42-year-old son, Alex, who has complex medical needs. The family spends between $5,000 and $7,000 annually on home care supplies and accommodations not covered by Medicaid.

Sarah Smitley, a 50-year-old family navigator in Sylvania, Ohio, cares for her 20-year-old daughter with autism and helps her aging parents. She highlighted the difficulty of covering small medical costs without vacation pay or time off. While these families see campaign proposals, Graves questioned whether advertised help will materialize. Bussard urged candidates to recognize that every person deserves dignity and health care, emphasizing that Medicaid helps families care for loved ones at home.

The survey data reflects a specific subset of the population. The 59 million Americans providing care for an adult family member, neighbor, or friend face mounting financial pressures. The AARP survey weighted the data to represent the voting population of the targeted congressional districts nationwide. The findings place the cost of care directly at the center of the 2026 electoral conversation.