Senior Statistics Hub
Family Caregiving & the Sandwich Generation Statistics
How many Americans care for an aging parent, what that care is worth, and who carries the load. Current figures from AARP and Pew Research. Free to cite and embed.
Last updated June 2026 · Compiled by KinKeeper
Key statistics
54%
of adults in their 40s are “sandwiched” — a parent 65+ and a child to support
The value of caregiving, state by state
The value of family caregiving, state by state
Estimated economic value of unpaid family caregiving by state ($ billions), 2024
About this data. Totals are AARP’s estimated value of unpaid family caregiving by state (2024). The per-capita view divides that value by each state’s total resident population (Census 2024) so a state’s size doesn’t dominate — Maine, Maryland, and California rank highest per resident.
Bigger than you’d think
Unpaid family caregiving is bigger than you’d think
How the $1.01T value of family caregiving compares ($ billions/year)
About this data. AARP (2026) family-caregiving value vs. CMS National Health Expenditure benchmarks. An orders-of-magnitude comparison, not a like-for-like accounting category.
More than doubled in 15 years
The value of unpaid family caregiving has more than doubled
Estimated economic value of unpaid family caregiving ($ billions/year)
About this data. AARP “Valuing the Invaluable” series. Estimated economic value of unpaid family caregiving; the caregiver definition and wage method changed between editions, so read it as a long-run trend. Caregiver definition and wage method changed between editions — label the trend accordingly rather than treating each point as a like-for-like measure.
The toll falls harder on women
Caring for an aging parent weighs more on women
% who say it has hurt their emotional well-being
About this data. Pew Research, Family Caregiving in an Aging America (2026). Among those caring for an aging parent, the share saying it has hurt their emotional well-being, by gender.
Sources
- AARP — Valuing the Invaluable (2026 update)
- AARP — Economic Value of Family Caregiving (2026)
- Pew Research — Family Caregiving in an Aging America (2026)
Feeling the strain yourself? These numbers add up to real pressure on caregivers. Take our free, 2-minute Caregiver Burnout Test to see how much you’re carrying right now — with practical next steps.
Caregiving is heavy — let KinKeeper carry the daily check-in
KinKeeper calls or texts your parent every day and tells your whole care circle how it went, so you can stop wondering and breathe.
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