Caregiving has emerged as a significant concern for older voters ahead of the November midterm elections, according to a recent survey conducted by AARP, a nonprofit advocate for individuals aged 50 and older. The survey, which sampled more than 800 voters in each of six battleground states—Alaska, Michigan, Arizona, Ohio, Texas, and Georgia—found that a majority of respondents expressed a willingness to support candidates who prioritize assistance for unpaid family caregivers.
The findings identified Georgia as the state where this sentiment is strongest, with 75% of older voters seeking candidates who back caregiving support. Even in Alaska, which showed the lowest percentage, 68% of respondents indicated the same preference. Despite caregiving’s growing relevance, experts note that it remains underrepresented in political campaigns amid other pressing issues such as Social Security and healthcare costs.
“The care crisis is one of the defining issues of our generation,” said Lystra Sawney, vice president of new organizing at 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Sawney highlighted the economic pressures facing families caring for aging relatives or loved ones with disabilities, noting the rising costs and challenges that threaten the sustainability of unpaid caregiving.
Demographic trends are intensifying the caregiving challenge. The United States is currently experiencing “Peak 65,” a period marked by more than 4.1 million Americans turning 65 annually through 2027, according to LIMRA, a trade association in the insurance and financial services industry. Currently, approximately 11,200 people reach the age of 65 every day, contributing to increased demand for support.
As life expectancy rises but overall health may decline, many older adults require assistance, much of which is provided by unpaid family members, often described as the "sandwich generation." This group cares for both older relatives and their own children, frequently without formal compensation. The unpaid labor of caregivers was valued at roughly $1 trillion in 2024, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. Recent studies show the average age of this group has dropped to 34, reflecting an evolving demographic profile.
While caregivers and experts stress the need for expanded support, legislative proposals addressing the issue have yet to be enacted. Among the initiatives under consideration are the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026 and the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026, designed to help caregivers continue saving for retirement. Other measures include the Medicare at Home Act, which proposes a Medicare Part B benefit to cover up to 20 hours per week of caregiving assistance, and the Multigenerational Home Caregiver Credit Act, which would offer a $2,000 tax credit for in-home eldercare.
Employers have also been recognized as potential players in easing caregiver burdens. However, despite caregiving’s impact on absenteeism, productivity, and employee retention, a survey by LegalShield found that eldercare ranks low among companies’ top benefit priorities. Over 85% of human resources executives acknowledged the issue’s effect on their workforce, yet only a minority considered it a focus for upcoming benefit plans. Still, more than 80% of HR leaders reported intentions to add or expand senior care advisory services within the next two years.
Experts emphasize that individuals can advocate for caregiving support through voting, engaging with employers, and participating in organizing efforts. AARP encourages older voters to influence policy by supporting candidates focused on caregiving issues. Additionally, Sawney pointed to large-scale union organizing campaigns among care workers in New York as evidence of growing momentum for improved wages and benefits in the caregiving sector.
As the caregiving population expands and its impact grows, attention to the issue among policymakers, businesses, and voters may become increasingly decisive in shaping the midterm elections and future social support systems.