They are often called health care’s hidden workforce — family caregivers. Without the visibility or prestige of doctors or nurses, these everyday heroes care for some of the most vulnerable among us. They manage pain and medications, assist with daily tasks, transport loved ones to medical appointments and provide vital emotional support, all while navigating an increasingly complex health care system.
In the past year alone, 63 million Americans — nearly 1 in 4 adults — provided unpaid care for a loved one with a serious medical condition or disability. In contrast, only 5 million caregivers are paid professionals, including home health aides, personal care aides and nursing assistants. The gap is staggering, and growing.
Unpaid caregivers shoulder enormous burdens. On average, they spend 27 hours a week providing care, with nearly a quarter dedicating 40 hours or more — a second full-time job. Over 40% perform high-intensity care tasks like administering injections or managing wounds. And yet, most do so with little or no formal training. Only 11% have received instruction in essential daily living support; just 22% in medical or nursing tasks.
For working caregivers, the challenges are even steeper. About 70% of unpaid caregivers are employed, and half report work disruptions — from reduced hours to missed days. Nearly 1 in 4 manage 40-plus hours of caregiving while maintaining paid employment. This dual role is unsustainable for many, leading to burnout, stress and even financial instability.
The holidays are some of the most stressful times for caregivers, making it the perfect time to recognize their essential contributions, the challenges they face, and to call for stronger policies and support systems.
At Home Assist Health we are proud to add our voice, but we also know that thanks alone are not enough. We must invest in caregiving as a profession and support those providing unpaid care to loved ones.
We met recently with Arizona State Sen. Lela Alston and other lawmakers to share real stories from the caregiving community. One of our members, David Schneider, described how his paid caregiver has transformed his life — helping with daily needs and enabling him to pursue his dream of performing as a comedian.
On Capitol Hill, we’ve supported legislation like the Credit for Caring Act, the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, the Homecare for Seniors Act and the Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act. These bills include practical measures like tax relief for caregiving families and expanded use of Health Savings Accounts for care expenses.
We’re also focused on building the caregiving workforce of tomorrow. Through our internship program with Maricopa Community Colleges, we provide high school students with hands-on training and classroom instruction, preparing them for certification and future careers in health care.
We welcome caregivers with in-person orientation and introductions, and offer 24/7 assistance, educational partnerships for career advancement, mentorship programs, a caregiver rewards system and host an annual retreat to celebrate both our members and our care teams.
The work caregivers do is personal, powerful and indispensable. They are the front line of care for millions of Americans, and we need more of them. That means better training, fair compensation, meaningful support and smart policy.
This holiday season, we invite all Arizonans to take part in honoring caregivers: thank the ones in your life, share your caregiving story with lawmakers and advocates, and support efforts to grow and sustain this vital workforce. Together, we can build a future where all caregivers — paid or unpaid — receive the respect, support and recognition they deserve.
Sara Wilson is CEO of Home Assist Health, a Phoenix-based nonprofit serving seniors and individuals with disabilities. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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