INDIANA — A newly released report from AARP, Caregiving in the U.S. 2025: Caring Across States, highlights the immense, yet largely unsupported, burden carried by family caregivers in Indiana. The data finds that an estimated 24% of all adults in Indiana—approximately 1.2 million people—are providing unpaid care for older parents, spouses, and other loved ones.
These family and friends contribute an estimated $10.8 billion in unpaid care each year in Indiana, helping family members live independently at home. Their responsibilities are extensive, ranging from daily tasks such as bathing and meal preparation to complex duties such as medication management and skilled medical tasks, often performed with little to no formal training.
“Behind every person who needs care, there’s someone making sacrifices,” said Sarah Waddle, AARP Indiana State Director. “Too many caregivers carry this responsibility alone, jeopardizing their health, finances, and careers. As our state ages, the need for support will only increase.”
The Financial and Personal Toll on Caregivers
The report details the significant personal and financial sacrifice made by caregivers:
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: 80% of caregivers pay for care-related expenses out of their own pockets, averaging $7,200 each year, which amounts to about 25% of their annual income.
- Financial Setbacks: 51% of Indiana family caregivers report financial setbacks, including taking on debt, draining savings, or struggling to afford necessities such as food and medicine.
- Workplace Strain: 63% of the state’s caregivers are juggling their responsibilities with full- or part-time jobs. Many are forced to reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely, which directly jeopardizes their own long-term financial security.
AARP Pushes for Federal and Local Support
AARP Indiana is advocating for commonsense solutions to reduce the financial and emotional strain on caregivers. At the federal level, AARP is supporting:
- The Credit for Caring Act: A proposed federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for working caregivers to help offset qualified expenses.
- The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act: Legislation that would expand the uses of flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to cover caregiving costs better.
In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, AARP Indiana encourages citizens to join its “I Am A Caregiver” movement to urge lawmakers to provide greater support for caregivers of our most vulnerable citizens.
Resources for Caregivers:
Family caregivers can access free tools and local resource guides to ease their burden:
- AARP’s online Caregiving Hub: Provides tools and information in both English and Spanish.
- AARP’s Family Caregiver Resource Guides: State-by-state guides to help access key local programs, services, and agencies.
- AARP and United Way Worldwide’s 211 program: Connects caregivers to essential local services for themselves and their loved ones via the 211 helpline.
- AARP’s official caregiving Facebook group: A nationwide community for caregivers to connect, share tips, and offer support.
About AARP Indiana
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. The Indiana office has been involved in issues affecting Hoosiers ages 50-plus, including providing additional support for family caregivers, encouraging retirement savings, and supporting local leaders in making their communities more livable. To stay up to date on everything that AARP Indiana is doing across the state, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
