Caregiving for adult relatives can cost thousands. AARP survey finds support could matter to midterm voters

For millions of families, caregiving is not just a personal responsibility; it is a growing affordability challenge. And the issue is emerging in the 2026 midterm elections.

Some 59 million Americans provide care for an adult family member, neighbor or friend, according to a recent report from AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for people age 50 and older.

Many of those caregivers face mounting financial pressures as they balance the cost of helping loved ones with their own household expenses, jobs and retirement security. A new study from Edward Jones found that Americans caring for aging family members spend an average of $8,737 per year out of pocket and that their personal retirement savings and careers bear the brunt.

Results of a new AARP survey show that in 43 competitive congressional districts, most of the likely voters age 50 and older said they're more likely to vote for candidates who back policies that support unpaid caregivers helping loved ones. Because voters 50 and up comprise one of the most important voting blocs, the survey shows that support could make a difference in closely contested races.

Among those older surveyed voters, 77% said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers who help pay for a loved one's care. Nearly as many, 75%, said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for support for unpaid family caregivers helping loved ones remain in their homes.

Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research conducted the survey for AARP, interviewing 1,368 likely voters age 18 and older, including 848 voters age 50 and older, from Oct. 1-5. The margin of error for the 1,368 sample was plus or minus 2.7 percentage points. The data was weighted to represent the voting population of the targeted congressional districts nationwide.

Voters ages 50 and above "are going to be the deciders in the election," said Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research, a public opinion research and consulting firm. "So for candidates looking to win over this critical voting bloc, a focus on helping caregivers would go a long way in helping them make inroads."

Temple, Texas, resident Brittney Saunders Graves, a 33-year-old part-time counselor, is the primary family caregiver for her 62-year-old mother, Tracey Saunders, who had a debilitating stroke in 2020. Graves, a U.S. Army veteran who is also a stroke survivor, said she spends an average of $600 a month to help pay for her mother's care. Those expenses include transportation, copays and medications.

"After we set aside the necessities, leaving out medication [and] doctor's appointments, she only has around $400 to cover food," Graves said.

The financial impact of caregiving can extend well beyond immediate out-of-pocket expenses.

Caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to have fewer financial assets and report debt problems, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey. About one-third, 34%, of caregivers reported having less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25% of non-caregivers. More than two-thirds, 69%, of caregivers said debt is a problem, compared with 57% of non-caregivers.