100 Reasons to Support Family Caregivers

More than 48 million Americans, including 74,000 here in the District, are family caregivers. It is one of the most important jobs we will ever do, and one of the most difficult. Family caregivers help their older parents, spouses and other loved ones live independently – managing medications, preparing meals, helping with bathing and dressing and so much more.

These individuals hold up a broken long-term care system. Dedicated family caregivers in the District provide 69 million hours of care every year, adding up to $1.3 billion in unpaid labor per year, saving District taxpayers billions. The physical, financial and emotional toll on them is great. Many family caregivers work full or part-time at paying jobs, and many cut back their hours or quit their jobs entirely to make sure their loved one gets the care they need.

AARP is fighting for solutions that will save the District’s caregivers time and money—and provide them with more support. We’re asking caregivers, and people who support caregivers, across the country to raise their hands and show lawmakers that they can’t ignore the needs of so many Americans.

To help support family caregivers, last year AARP DC worked with Congresswoman Holmes-Norton to cosponsor four pieces of legislation, including the Credit for Caring Act. This bill would provide a new, annual, nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 to eligible family caregivers to help address the financial challenges of caring for older parents, spouses and other loved ones while remaining in the workforce. We thank Rep. Norton for her support during the last Congress and will continue working with her during the current Congress to pass this bill into law.

Here in the District, AARP DC worked with the Council and Mayor to secure funding in FY 2025 for various caregiving programs, including:

• $669,000 for DC’s Aging and Disability Resource Center and Home Care Partners’ DC Caregiver Institute. We also asked the Committee on Executive Administration to assess additional funding options to prevent backlogs and reduced service delivery due to underfunding in a time where operational costs are rising.
• Shielded the Safe at Home program from a $4.3 million cut and protected it from further cuts.

For far too long, family caregivers have gone unnoticed by many lawmakers. That’s why AARP is launching 100 Reasons– a nationwide movement to support family caregivers and the loved ones they care for. We’re tapping into the power of family caregivers to force elected officials to pay attention to this important constituency. But we need your help. Raise your hand and share why do you think lawmakers should prioritize a tax credit for family caregivers. Join the fight at https://action.aarp.org/100reasons.

You’re handling tasks big and small, from shopping for groceries, to managing medication, to organizing financial matters and much more. And we know you need support. Join the 48 million caregivers, and people who support caregivers, across the country to raise your hands and show lawmakers that they can’t ignore the needs of so many Americans.