Family Caregivers Provide More Than $1 Trillion in Unpaid Care Each Year

Family caregivers play a critical role in helping older adults and people with disabilities remain safely at home. A new 2026 report from the AARP Public Policy Institute highlights just how significant that contribution is: 59 million family caregivers provided an estimated 49.5 billion hours of care in 2024, representing approximately $1.01 trillion in economic value if that care had been paid at market rates.

The report, Valuing the Invaluable 2026, estimates that family caregivers provided care valued at an average of $20.41 per hour. The total is equivalent to the work of approximately 23.8 million full-time workers, or about 17% of the U.S. full-time workforce.

The Growing Responsibilities of Family Caregivers

Family caregiving can involve much more than occasional help. Caregivers may assist with daily activities, personal care, meals, transportation, household tasks, medication-related routines, and coordinating medical and social services. Many provide this support while also managing jobs, children, and other family responsibilities.

The value of this unpaid work also reflects the increasing complexity of caregiving. As older adults live longer and more people choose to remain at home, families may find themselves taking on greater responsibilities for longer periods of time.

Why Professional In Home Care Can Help

Family caregivers are an important part of an older adult’s support system, but they do not always have to manage everything alone. Professional in home care can provide additional support with daily routines and personal care while giving family members more time to work, rest, attend to other responsibilities, or simply spend quality time with their loved one.

For families considering additional help, the goal isn’t necessarily to replace family caregiving. It can be about sharing the responsibility and creating a more sustainable care plan.

Supporting the People Behind the Care

The $1 trillion figure is a powerful reminder that caregiving is not simply a personal responsibility. It is a major part of the nation’s long-term care system. Recognizing the contributions of family caregivers also means recognizing the importance of providing them with appropriate resources, information, respite, and professional support when needed.

As the demand for care continues to grow, a combination of family support and professional in home care can help older adults remain at home while making caregiving more manageable for the people who care for them.