The Broad Impact of Caregiving: Survey Highlights Voter Experiences and Support Solutions

A new national poll from BPC Action, in partnership with Pivotal Ventures and Morning Consult, shows that more than a quarter (26%) of registered voters juggle caregiving responsibilities. This poll aims to understand the impact of caregiving among those voters and gain broader insights into voter attitudes towards caregiving, regardless of whether they are current caregivers.

This survey finds that caregiving demands have a profound and lasting impact on caregivers’ lives and create a ripple effect on the U.S. economy. They often limit career options, reduce work capacity, and jeopardize financial security for caregivers. Alarmingly, nearly one in four (24%) caregivers who are not currently employed report being unable to enter or re-enter the workforce due to their caregiving responsibilities. The survey underscores a growing recognition among voters—caregivers or not—of the significant challenges posed by caregiving and demonstrates widespread support for policy solutions.

Full Poll Results

Key Findings

1. Caregiving responsibilities impact multiple age groups, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses.

• Age: Among caregivers, individuals ages 18-34 (32%) and ages 44-65 (31%) are the most likely to provide regular care to their family members.
  • Ages 18-34: Primarily care for infant children (25%) and children aged 1-5 (67%)
  • Ages 44-65: Primarily care for an older parent or elderly family member (56%)

• Ethnicity: White caregivers constitute the majority (65%) of caregivers among registered voters.
  • Hispanic caregivers represent 16%.
  • Black caregivers represent 12%.
  • Asian/other caregivers represent 7%.

• Socioeconomic Status: Caregivers typically fall within lower wage brackets:
  • 37% of caregivers earn below $50,000.
  • 35% of caregivers earn between $50,000-$100,000.
  • 28% of caregivers earn more than $100,000.

2. Caregiving demands impact caregivers’ work, financial status, and education.

• Career impacts: More than half (52%) of caregivers report that those responsibilities have affected their careers, with 26% reporting a significant
  • 48% of caregivers have had to take unexpected time off work.
    • 30% of caregivers have had to reduce their regularly scheduled work hours at least once a week in the past year due to caregiving responsibilities.
  • 25% of caregivers have had to decline a promotion or new job opportunity.

• Financial strain: More than 2 in 3 (67%) caregivers report that caregiving has impacted their personal finances, with 31% stating it has had a significant
  • 37% have accrued credit card debt;
  • 36% have been unable to save for emergencies;
  • 34% have had to dip into retirement or savings accounts;
  • 30% have been unable to save for retirement; and
  • 22% have had to miss or be late or mortgage or rent payments.

• Educational setbacks: 1 in 3 (33%) of caregivers report that caregiving has impacted their education, with 17% stating it has had a significant
  • 22% of caregivers have had to delay higher education plans, with nearly 4 in 10 (38%) Gen Zer’s (1997-2012) and nearly 3 in 10 (29%) Millennials (1981-1996) reporting that caregiving demands have caused them to delay higher education plans.
  • 17% of caregivers have been unable to go back to school due to their caregiving responsibilities, affecting 18-34 (26%) and 25-44 (22%) year olds the most.

3. Employee benefits addressing the needs of caregivers can play a crucial role in increasing workforce recruitment and retention.

• Nearly a quarter of unemployed caregivers (24%) and retired caregivers (22%) have been unable to enter or re-enter the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities.
• Further, 3 in 10 (30%) private sector and 1 in 3 (33%) government employees identify as caregivers, however, many report a lack of access to key caregiving benefits. Of employed registered voters:
  • 53% have access to paid parental leave.
  • 36% have access to paid family leave.
  • 26% have access to financial assistance benefits for child care.
• Expanding beyond caregivers, 65% of registered voters said that if they were offered a job today, caregiving benefits would be an important factor in determining whether to accept the role.
  • This sentiment is shared across genders (63% of men; 67% of women) and parties (68% of Democrats; 64% of Republicans).

4. Voters recognize the challenges caregivers face and support the government providing solutions.

• 82% of voters, including both caregivers and non-caregivers, agree that it is important for candidates and policymakers to increase investments that make it easier for Americans to care for their loved ones, with 34% considering it a top priority.
  • This sentiment is shared across party lines, with 89% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans supporting increased investments.
• 79% of voters believe that it is important for policy makers to work on bipartisan solutions to make caregiving easier and more affordable for families.
  • This sentiment is also shared across party lines with 87% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans supporting bipartisan work on addressing caregiving demands and costs.