Caregiving can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be very stressful. Here’s what we know about who caregivers are and the issues they are facing, particularly when it comes to mental health for themselves and the people they care for.
According to a 2025 report from AARP and NAC, nearly 1 in 4 (63 million) U.S. adults are family caregivers.
are women
are students
live in rural areas
live with the person they care for
live with a child or grandchild while caring for an adult
have been providing care for 5 years or longer
care for someone with an emotional or mental health issue
Caregivers under the age of 50 are two times more likely to provide care for someone with an emotional or mental health health issue than their older counterparts.
37% of LGBTQ+ caregivers support someone with a mental health condition, and 13% care for someone with behavioral issues. Both of these rates are higher than those reported by non-LGBTQ+ caregivers.
report difficulty getting affordable services like in-home help, transportation, and meal delivery, with this being higher in rural areas (34%)
received any formal training for helping their loved ones with activities of daily living
51% of caregivers say that their role as a caregiver gives them a sense of purpose or meaning in life.
24% of caregivers feel alone, with this feeling more common among those who are working, female, and LGBTQ+ compared to their counterparts.
38% of caregivers say they have high levels of emotional stress.
Caregivers who did not have a choice in becoming a caregiver (56%) have poorer mental health than those who chose the caregiver role.
Do a quick mental health check-in at mhascreening.org
Contact an MHA affiliate to see if programs and services are available in your area
Find community online or by attending in-person support groups
Explore options for respite care to make time for your own self-care and well-being
Connect with other caregivers who know what it’s like to be in your shoes