AARP: family caregivers provide $40M in labor in Pa. each year

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A new report by AARP shows that Pennsylvania‘s family caregivers are providing $40 billion worth of labor each year.  

Most of this work is unpaid, But AARP said it forms the backbone of the nation’s long-term care system that is essential to helping millions of older adults live independently at home. 

Without family caregivers, the association said, many more Pennsylvanians would rely on expensive institutional care, driving significantly higher costs for taxpayers and public programs. 

“Family caregivers are a major economic force, filling critical gaps in our health care system every single day,” said Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania state director. “The economic value of their unpaid care now exceeds $40 million annually, yet caregivers too often pay the price with their own health, financial security, and well-being. AARP is fighting to ensure family caregivers get the support they deserve – saving them time and money and recognizing their essential role in our communities.” 

According to the report, in 2026, 2.2 million Pennsylvanians are caregivers of adults, providing care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing 2.1 billion hours of care annually. That work would be valued at $40 billion per year if paid in the marketplace, based on a value of $19.05 per hour, it said. 

Nationally, 59 million Americans are caregivers of adults, providing care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing 49.5 billion hours of care annually. 

The 49.5 billion hours of care provided each year is the equivalent of nearly 24 million full-time workers, AARP said that’s roughly 17% of the entire U.S. full-time workforce. 

The value of family caregiving exceeds total federal, state, and local Medicaid spending nationwide, and almost doubles all out-of-pocket health care spending. 

The association also said that family care is becoming more demanding, with family caregivers spending an average of 27 hours each week. 

More than half, 57%, now provide high-intensity care. That means they spend more hours helping with daily tasks like bathing and dressing as well as complex medical and nursing tasks like wound care and administering injections.