Adult caregiving support for family members could sway midterm voters: AARP survey

For millions of families, caregiving is more than just a personal responsibility. It’s an increasingly affordable challenge. And this issue is coming to the fore in the 2026 midterm elections.

Approximately 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 caregivers face increasing financial pressures as they try to balance the costs of helping a loved one with their own finances, work, and retirement security. Americans caring for elderly family members pay an average of $8,737 a year out of pocket, with their personal retirement savings and careers bearing the brunt, according to a new study from Edward Jones.

In 43 hotly contested Congressional districts, most prospective voters over the age of 50 say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports policies that support unpaid caregivers helping their loved ones, according to a new AARP poll. Voters over 50 make up one of the most important voting groups, so the survey shows that their support can make a difference in close races.

Among older voters surveyed, 77% said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocates for tax credits for unpaid family caregivers who help pay for the care of a loved one. A similar number, 75%, said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocates for support for unpaid family caregivers who help their loved ones stay at home.

Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research conducted the AARP survey, interviewing 1,368 likely voters over the age of 18 between Oct. 1 and 5, including 848 voters over the age of 50. The margin of error for the 1,368 samples was plus or minus 2.7 percentage points. The data is weighted to represent voters in targeted congressional districts across the country.

Matt Hogan, a partner at polling and consulting firm Impact Research, said voters over 50 “are going to be the deciders of the election.” “So for candidates looking to win in this important voting bloc, a focus on support for caregivers will go a long way in helping them advance.”

Brittney Sanders Graves, 33, a part-time counselor in Temple, Texas, is the primary family caregiver for her 62-year-old mother, Tracy Sanders, who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2020. Graves, a U.S. Army veteran and stroke survivor, said he spends an average of $600 a month to help pay for his mother’s care. These costs include transportation, co-pays, and medication costs.

“After skipping medicine (and) doctor’s appointments and securing essential supplies, she only has about $400 to cover her food expenses,” Graves said.

The financial impact of long-term care can extend far beyond the immediate out-of-pocket costs.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey, caregivers have fewer financial assets and are more likely to report debt problems than non-caregivers. About a third of caregivers, 34%, reported saving and investing less than $10,000, compared with 25% of non-caregivers. More than two-thirds (69%) of carers said debt was a problem, compared to 57% of non-carers.

These financial pressures can make it difficult for caregivers to accumulate savings, manage household finances, and prepare for retirement.

Keisha Middlemas, a political science professor at Howard University, said the challenge is especially acute for Americans in the so-called sandwich generation, who may be supporting aging parents while juggling childcare and other family responsibilities.

As the population ages and people live longer, “the sandwich generation is only going to grow,” Middlemas said.

Sarah Smitley, 50, of Sylvania, Ohio, takes care of her 20-year-old daughter, who has autism, and also helps her elderly parents. Smitley works as a family navigator for a nonprofit organization that supports people with mental illness. She said she wants political leaders to understand the affordability issues many caregivers face.

“Maybe they can’t take vacations, maybe they’ve used up their paid time off, or even with insurance, medical bills are high and they know it’s not easy to come up with an extra $50 out of pocket,” Smitley said.

Some of the Medicaid cuts under President Donald Trump’s “Big and Beautiful Bill” go into effect in January. Without government assistance, unpaid family caregivers, who often have to cover the costs of their loved ones, would face greater financial hardship, Middlemas said.

“In fact, future cuts to Medicaid and Medicare in 2027 will be devastating not only for low-income people but also for workers in the care economy,” she said.

Paula Bussard, a 71-year-old retiree from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, said she worries the cuts will mean fewer doctors, home health agencies and medical equipment providers will accept Medicaid.

Ms Bussard cares for her 42-year-old son Alex, who has complex medical needs after surviving a brain tumor and bleeding on the brain. She said her family already spends $5,000 to $7,000 a year caring for her son at home, including lodging and supplies not covered by Medicaid.

“Political candidates need to know that every human being deserves dignity, respect and health care,” Bussard said. She added that Medicaid is critical to millions of Americans who are unable to work and “helps families care for them at home.”

But families already struggling to pay for care say the campaign’s proposals do not necessarily give them confidence that they will receive meaningful support.

“When you look at this, this is advertised, but when you peel it back, you’re like, is this going to happen? Will this happen?” Graves said.

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