New family caregiving trends 2026 data show lower-income adults and women are far more likely to care for aging parents or spouses — raising urgent economic and policy concerns.
As the U.S. population continues to age, the demand for family caregivers is rising rapidly. More Americans are stepping into caregiving roles for aging parents, spouses, and partners, and new research shows that lower-income adults are significantly more likely to become caregivers than middle- and upper-income adults. These caregiving trends highlight the growing economic and emotional pressures facing families as the nation’s older population expands.
We surveyed 8,750 U.S. adults from September 2–8, 2025, to better understand the experiences of those caring for an aging parent or an aging spouse or partner, as well as how caregiving responsibilities differ by income level, age of the family member, and gender. The findings show that caregiving becomes more common and more demanding as family members reach age 75 and older, reinforcing concerns about long-term elder care needs in the United States.
Across the total U.S. adult population, 10% say they are caregivers for a parent age 65 or older, and another 3% are caregivers for a spouse or partner age 65 or older. A very small share, less than 1%, report caring for both an aging parent and an aging spouse or partner.
However, caregiving rates are substantially higher among adults who actually have an aging family member. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of adults with a parent age 65 or older identify as caregivers, and 25% of those with a spouse or partner age 65 or older say the same. These figures show that roughly one in four Americans with an older immediate family member is providing some level of care.
The likelihood of caregiving rises sharply as aging family members reach age 75 or older. Among adults with a parent age 75 or older, 31% are caregivers, compared with 16% of those whose parent is ages 65 to 74. Similarly, 32% of adults with a spouse or partner age 75 or older are caregivers, compared with 21% of those whose spouse or partner is ages 65 to 74. This pattern underscores how advanced age increases the need for daily assistance, health support, and long-term care.
Income plays a major role in determining who becomes a caregiver. Among adults with an aging parent, spouse, or partner, 39% of lower-income adults are caregivers. That compares with 23% of middle-income adults and just 16% of upper-income adults. Lower-income Americans are therefore more than twice as likely as upper-income Americans to provide care for aging family members. Financial limitations, reduced access to paid caregiving services, and stronger reliance on family-based support systems may all contribute to this disparity. These findings suggest that caregiving responsibilities are disproportionately concentrated among economically vulnerable households, potentially increasing financial strain and stress.
Gender differences also emerge in caregiving patterns. Among adults with an aging parent, spouse, or partner, 28% of women identify as caregivers compared with 23% of men. Women are also more likely to report that providing regular care for an aging parent negatively affects their personal well-being. This highlights the unequal emotional and psychological burden caregiving can place on women, particularly when combined with work and other family responsibilities.
This research is part of an ongoing effort to examine how social and demographic changes are reshaping life in the United States. As the population age 65 and older continues to grow, the need for informal family caregiving is expected to increase. The data indicate that lower-income adults and women are especially likely to shoulder these responsibilities, raising important questions about economic inequality, caregiver support, and the future of elder care in America.
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