Every November, caregivers are honored and recognized for their tireless and supportive dedication during National Family Caregivers Month. The observance was conceived by the National Family Caregivers Association in 1994 (now the Caregiver Action Network) to recognize and raise awareness of the critical role of caregivers in the healthcare system, and was first proclaimed by President Bill Clinton in 1997 as National Caregivers Week.
“Caregivers reflect family and community life at its best.”According to President Clinton. “Thanks to their efforts, Americans with disabilities and a growing number of elderly Americans are able to stay in familiar surroundings and to maintain their dignity and independence. Caregivers not only enhance the quality of life for those they serve, but also greatly reduce the demands on the formal system of caregiving services in our Nation.”
The theme for 2025 focuses on “Caregiving Around the Clock,” underscoring the unpaid care providers give each day to those in their care. According to the Health Affairs website, “the number of family caregivers providing help to older adults increased by nearly six million between 2011 and 2022, rising from 18.2 million to 24.1 million.”
According to CAN, National Family Caregivers Month highlights the need to: Raise awareness of the critical role family caregivers play in our healthcare system, connect caregivers with reliable resources, and honor their commitment as caregivers.
In a report published by AARP in July of 2025, there are 63 million Americans who act as caregivers for people with multiple conditions like Parkinson’s Disease or another movement disorder, caring for the elderly, and those with some physical or mental disability, with only 11 million receiving some compensation through Medicaid, VA, or some other state program. AARP states that unpaid family care was valued at roughly $600 billion in 2021, about 36 billion hours of care before the pandemic in 2020. Additional data indicate that one in four adults is now a caregiver, with over 40% providing high-intensity care; one in five is in poor health, facing financial difficulties, and can’t afford basic needs like food; and many caregivers are experiencing disruptions that affect benefits through their employment.
In response to the need for resources for caregivers, the Federal Government created a blueprint called the “National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers” in 2022 by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living to help improve the lives of caregivers and provide support. It outlined nearly 350 federal actions and recommended over 150 measures for states, communities, and private organizations to boost financial security, expand respite services, enhance workplace flexibility, increase access to training, and reduce the emotional and physical strain caregivers face. According to the report, “While family caregiving is rewarding, it can be challenging, and when caregivers do not have the support they need, their health, well-being, and quality of life often suffer. Their financial future can also be put at risk; lost income due to family caregiving is estimated at $522 billion each year. When the challenges become overwhelming and family caregivers no longer can provide support, the people they care for often are left with no choices except moving to nursing homes and other institutions or to foster care—the cost of which is typically borne by taxpayers.”
With benefits varying widely from state to state, the amount of compensation someone might receive isn’t the same as or equal to the benefits they may receive in another state. It could mean a paid wage for the family caregiver under a Medicaid waiver, or non-cash benefits such as access to training and support groups, or that requirements for these programs may only include the elderly, disabled children, or those with certain types of disabilities. The KFF released a report in January of 2025 stating that 4.5 million people use Medicaid home care for medical and supportive care, and most states allow families to be paid for specific programs through waivers
For Parkinson’s patients, Early-stage Parkinson’s patients can usually live a pretty normal life and can get themselves to appointments, and still hold a job, but having a caregiver is often a necessity as the disease progresses. Tasks like walking, cooking, managing medications, dressing, and maintaining balance become increasingly more complex as the patient ages and the degree of the disease worsens. Caregivers are there to help ensure safety, independence, and continuity in daily life. The Parkinson’s Foundation offers caregivers great tips to help!
Most caregivers feel there aren’t enough resources, training, or money to support the work they do, and that there isn’t enough attention to the emotional and financial burdens that come with the job and the pressure they often face. For most, it is a 24-hour full-time job that doesn’t let up. Words like dedication just aren’t enough to describe these real heroes.
The Caregiver Action Network is hosting several webinars throughout November as part of the “Plug-in to Care Webinar Series.” You can sign up for them here. CAN describes these webinars as: “Throughout this series, we’ll spotlight a key area of caregiving and share practical tools, peer insights, and expert advice to help you connect to the resources you need. Whether you’re navigating care for the first time or balancing caregiving with work and family, this series is designed to meet you where you are.”
If you know or meet a caregiver, let these people know that their hard work and sacrifice don’t go unnoticed. Happy National Family Caregivers Month in November!
Caregiver resource by state: https://themovementdisorderjournal.com/caregiver-resourse-by-state/
All media by Chris Denny
