Raise Your Hand: Join the Fight for District Caregivers

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a chance to recognize the contributions, commitment, and sacrifices made by America’s 63 million family caregivers every single day.

Across the District, 109,000 family caregivers help their older parents, spouses, or other loved ones live independently at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Family caregivers in the District provide $1.37 billion in unpaid care each year. They are the backbone of our long-term care system, spending countless hours driving to doctors’ appointments, picking up prescriptions, cooking meals, managing medications, and much more.

The Caregiving in the US 2025 report, released in October, finds:

• Two-thirds (67%) of District caregivers assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
• 58% help with medical and nursing tasks.
• 46% engage in high-intensity caregiving (more hours and higher complexity of care),
• And 31% of District caregivers provide at least 40 hours of care per week or constant care.

Most family caregivers don’t get paid for helping their loved ones, but they still spend plenty out of their own pockets—and it’s not cheap. On average, caregivers spend more than $7,200 a year, roughly a quarter of their income. Many end up dipping into savings, taking on debt, or cutting back on essentials like food and medication. For caregivers who are also working, many must reduce their work hours or leave the workforce entirely due to caregiving responsibilities.

But here’s the thing: while family caregivers do so much for their loved ones, they’re too often overlooked by society and lawmakers as they hold up a broken system. That’s why this month, and every month, AARP DC is shining a spotlight on family caregivers and calling on lawmakers to pass commonsense solutions that will save them money, time, and provide them with more support.

Among the priorities we’re championing:

• Protecting Paid Family Leave caregiving benefits for DC Government employees from proposed reductions.
• Securing funding for the DC Caregiving Institute, including the Homemaker Program, caregiver stipends, and Respite Services
• Advocating for continued investment in memory care programs supported by the Department on Aging and Community Living

AARP DC Is Here for You

AARP DC is proud to stand with our family caregivers, offering free tools and resources to help them navigate their role as a caregiver.

• Visit aarp.org/caregiving/, to find a wealth of information, including access to AARP DC’s Family Caregiver Resource Guide, which helps family caregivers find key programs, services, and agencies in the District.
• AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group on Facebook. AARP’s official caregiving Facebook group serves as a place for family caregivers nationwide to connect, share practical tips, offer support, and discuss their shared experiences. Search “AARP Caregiving” on Facebook to join.

We can’t do this work alone. Your voice is needed to show lawmakers that family caregivers are a powerful constituency. Raise your hand and join the fight at aarp.org/iamacaregiver.