63 Million American Adults Care for Someone with a Disability

Robert Kramer explores how the Republican "Big Beautiful Bill" passed in 2025 will impact the growing number of caregivers giving aid and assistance to the growing population of elderly and disabled Americans by reducing need benefits and healthcare access.

Out of an estimated 63 million Americans in the role of caregiver, only about 11 million receive pay for performing this role through state or Veterans Administration programs. This needs to change!

That’s according to a report issued July 30, 2025, by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. There’s been a 20 million increase in caregivers in just ten years. As our population continues to age, the number of individuals with disabilities will increase, and more Americans will take on the role of caregivers. While families do it out of love, there are serious risks for the caregivers.

· Disabilities include limitations of cognition, mobility, independent living, hearing, vision, and the ability to self-care.

·      Causes include chronic disease, physical trauma, developmental disorders, genetic disorders, and similar events.

·      The average time required for caregiving is 27 hours per week. But for some, it’s 40 hours.

·      20% of caregivers report being in fair or poor health themselves.

·      Almost 50% of caregivers report negative financial impacts including more debt and less savings.

·      Only11 million caregivers are paid through various state programs.

·      One-third of caregivers are also raising children under 18 years old.

·      Most caregivers have had no training for the tasks they must perform.

Challenges for caregivers and individuals with disabilities have increased in 2026. The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reduced benefits for individuals with disabilities and for family members caring them.