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CLEVELAND, Ohio — About 24% of Ohio adults — or 2.2 million people — are family caregivers who provide mostly unpaid and unsupported care to older parents, spouses and other loved ones, according to a new AARP report, “Caregiving in the U.S. 2025: Caring Across States.” Family caregivers provide $21 billion in unpaid care each year in Ohio helping relatives live independently at home, the report said. Nationally, 80% of caregivers pay a yearly average of $7,200 out of their own pockets to help meet their loved ones’ needs, AARP said. “Caregiving is no longer a side issue—it’s central to how we build strong, age-friendly communities,” said Jenny Carlson, AARP State Director. “When 41% of Ohio’s caregivers are facing financial setbacks just for doing what families do—stepping up to care—we have to respond. This new data is a wake-up call. It’s time for Ohio to match the growing demands of caregiving with meaningful support, smart policy and respect for the people holding it all together.” Here are highlights of the report’s findings in Ohio: Nearly 60% of caregivers are female. Family caregivers help with shopping (85%), housework (83%), transportation (72%), cooking (66%), nursing (57%) and giving medicines (57%). On average, caregivers are 52 years old and care for someone an average of 69 years old. More than half of caregivers work while also taking care of someone. Nearly 30% of caregivers are in the “sandwich generation,” who care for an adult and also have a child under age 18. About 23% of caregivers spend at least 40 hours a week providing care, or give constant care. More than half (54%) of caregivers have full- or part-time jobs, and many reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely in order to meet their caregiving responsibilities. AARP Ohio is advocating for state and national laws that would ease the burden on caregivers. The Ohio legislature is considering a Family Caregiver Tax Credit that would offer an income tax credit of up to $2,000 to help cover expenses such as home modifications, respite care, and assistive technology. AARP also supports a proposed federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for working caregivers, and another proposed law that would expand flexible spending and health savings account uses. U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, who represents Ohio’s 15th district in the Columbus area, is a primary sponsor of the bipartisan legislation. Caregiver resources Here are links to free caregiver tools and resource guides: AARP: State-by-state Family Caregiver Resource Guides and online Caregiving Hub with tools and information. A Place for Mom: Dementia care options Benjamin Rose: Elder care coordination program called “We Care…Because You Do.” City of Cleveland Department of Aging: Caregiver resources Ohio Department of Aging: Caregiver support
