Helping’s High Cost

We thank our parents for raising and supporting their children, sometimes into their 20s, and they jokingly (we think) hold it over us. Less discussed is that, at some point, we will probably be asked to care for them, for a period that can extend into decades—a reality that comes with emotional and financial challenges.

28

Average hours a week U.S. caregivers spend helping older adults with health care activities.

$43,539

Median annual cost of a U.S. assistedliving facility in 2016; for nursing home care, it was $92,378.

69%

Percentage of U.S. carers who rearrange their work schedule, decrease hours or take unpaid leave.

44%

Percentage of U.S. carers who say their employer is unaware of their caregiving.

$324,044

Estimated cost, as of 2011, of lost wages and Social Security benefits for an American woman who leaves her job early to care for an aging family member.

$3 trillion

Estimated cost, as of 2011, of lost wages and pension and Social Security benefits of 10 million American adults over the age of 50 caring for their aging parents.

47%

Percentage of U.S. carers with annual household incomes under $50,000.