Caregiving for adult relatives can cost thousands. AARP survey finds support could matter to midterm voters

For millions of families, caregiving is not just a personal responsibility; it is a growing affordability challenge . And the issue is emerging in the 2026 midterm elections . Some 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 of those caregivers face mounting financial pressures as they balance the cost of helping loved ones with their own household expenses, jobs and retirement security. A new study from Edward Jones found that Americans caring for aging family members spend an average of $8,737 per year out of pocket and that their personal retirement savings and careers bear the brunt.