Plug-in to Care: Finding Caregiver Support

Every day, millions of family caregivers across America offer their time, energy, and compassion to support loved ones. Whether caring for a parent, spouse, or friend, the challenges of caregiving are real, from stress and fatigue to feelings of isolation. National Family Caregivers Month, celebrated each November, reminds us that caregivers deserve connection, community, and support.

The 2025 theme, Plug-in to Care, focuses on linking caregivers to resources and building stronger networks of support. In this article, you’ll uncover why family caregivers are so important, see the latest caregiving data, and discover helpful organizations and tools to make everyday caregiving a little easier.

Why Caregiving Matters

As caregiving becomes a reality for more families, its impact on society is undeniable. Caregivers provide vital companionship and health support, helping loved ones maintain independence and quality of life. With the number of caregivers rising each year, understanding the realities and rewards of caregiving has never been more important.

Emotional Rewards of Caregiving

Caregivers often report having a sense of purpose because they know they’re making a difference in the lives of their loved ones. Providing care at home can help reduce healthcare costs, strengthen family bonds, and promote aging in place.

Caregivers provide many benefits to the people they care for, helping them maintain their health and wellbeing by supporting daily activities, medical needs, and more. Providing care at home can help prevent the need for nursing home placements, which are often expensive and can be isolating. Caregivers also offer essential companionship and support.

Challenges and Realities of Caregiving

Caring for a loved one can be deeply rewarding, but it can also demand more than you ever thought possible from your time, your energy, and your wallet. Getting others to assist you (or letting others assist you) can be challenging, especially if you're concerned that your loved one's care will suffer as a result. Balancing caregiving with a career can feel like an endless juggling act. Many people find themselves meeting a parent’s medical needs in the morning, attending a meeting by noon, then helping a child with homework at night. It's a lot to manage.

Beyond the emotional weight, financial pressures add another layer of difficulty. Caregiving costs can quickly add up, and your loved one might not have the funds to cover them. Programs like Medicare and Medicaid offer some help, but coverage is limited, leaving many families searching for affordable alternatives. Understanding what expenses are covered and where to find local or nonprofit assistance can make these burdens easier to manage.

Caregiving Trends and Data

New data from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving shows that the number of caregivers in the United States has increased by nearly 50 percent since 2015. 63 million Americans (one in every four adults) is a caregiver.

According to the 2025 edition of Caregiving in the US:

• 94% of caregivers provide care for adults
• One in three caregivers is under age 50
• 29% of caregivers are in the sandwich generation, providing care for both children and adults
• One in five caregivers report poor health
• Half of caregivers report negative financial impact related to caregiving
• One in five caregivers can’t afford food and other basic needs

The intensity and complexity of caregiving have also increased, with more than 40% of caregivers providing high-intensity care. They also perform medical tasks such as administering injections or managing medical equipment, but only 22% receive training on these procedures.

For the first time, the 2025 report includes 11 million caregivers who receive some type of compensation, whether that’s through Medicaid, VA, or other state programs.

Support and Resources for Caregivers

Caregiver Action Network has compiled an extensive list of resources for caregivers, including webinars, articles, books, and other educational materials on the following topics:

• Alzheimer's
• Incontinence Care
• General Aging
• Cancer
• Mental Health
• Schizophrenia
• Substance Use Disorder
• Acute Pain
• Rare Diseases
• ATTR Amyloidosis
• Long-Term Care Insurance Denials and Caregiver Rights
• Brain Health
• Movement Disorders
• Tardive Dyskinesia
• Mobility Limitations
• Neurological
• Other Health Conditions

Community Care Corps works with local organizations to develop volunteer programs to provide essential nonmedical support to family caregivers, older adults, and adults with disabilities. Through these programs, Community Care Corps supports caregiver education and skills development, respite programs, care coordination, friendly visiting, transportation, and home modifications. You can check the list of grantees to see if there’s a local program to connect with in your area.

Where to Find Trusted Help

There are many caregiver resources available both locally and nationally. Finding the right support can help you stay connected and provide better care for yourself and your loved one. Caregiving can be isolating, so it's important to build community where possible.

• Eldercare Locator: A national resource for finding local caregiver services and respite care.
• Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA): Guides, fact sheets, and online support groups.
• Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: Support for caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's and dementia.
• VA Caregiver Support Program: Financial and emotional assistance for caregivers of veterans.
• Well Spouse Association: Peer support for caregivers caring for ill or disabled spouses.
• Caregiver Support Apps: Mobile apps like CareZone or CaringBridge can help you manage caregiving tasks and stay connected. Social media communities like Parenting Aging Parents can provide connection and resources to support you and your loved ones.

Connect With Caregiver Communities

Caregiving is demanding, but no one has to go through it alone. Exploring available resources can ease your workload, reduce stress, and improve the care you provide. Relying on support networks, educational programs, and the right caregiving tools, including mobility products, strengthens your ability to provide safe, dignified care. It also enhances quality of life for you and your loved one.

Remember, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and investing in resources today can make every day of the caregiving journey more manageable and rewarding.