Everybody Counts on Her. But Who’s Taking Care of Her?

New AARP research reveals the staggering financial burden of caregiving, and why Black women deserve more than recognition.

She’s the one making sure Mom gets to her doctor’s appointments. The one picking up prescriptions, coordinating care, checking in on relatives, and figuring out how to cover another unexpected expense.

She may be raising children, managing a career, supporting aging parents, or doing all of it at once.

And somewhere in the middle of taking care of everyone else, her own needs keep moving further down the list.

For generations, Black women have been the backbone of their families and communities. But being everyone’s source of strength can come at an extraordinary cost.

Now, new research from AARP is putting a dollar amount on a burden that too often goes unseen.

The Cost of Caring Is Higher Than You Think

According to AARP’s newly released 2026 Caregiving Out-of-Pocket Costs Study, family caregivers nationwide spend an average of $11,508 annually out of pocket caring for loved ones.

For Black caregivers, that number climbs to $13,565 a year, representing an average of 52% of household income.

By comparison, white caregivers report average annual expenses of $9,806, representing 24% of household income.

These figures reflect caregivers of all genders, but they raise urgent questions about the financial pressures facing Black women who provide care.

And the expenses go well beyond medical bills.

Caregivers are paying for groceries, housing, transportation, medications, medical equipment, and other everyday necessities. Sometimes they’re covering expenses their loved ones can no longer afford. Other times, they’re making difficult choices about what they themselves can go without.

For some families, caregiving isn’t simply an additional responsibility. It’s a financial crisis unfolding quietly, one prescription, one missed paycheck, and one unexpected expense at a time.

Explore AARP’s 2026 Caregiving Out-of-Pocket Costs Study

The Financial Sacrifice Doesn’t End With Today’s Bills

The new AARP research also highlights how caregiving can affect long-term financial stability.

Among working caregivers surveyed, 65% experienced at least one work-related disruption because of their caregiving responsibilities.

That might mean reducing work hours, taking unpaid time off, turning down opportunities, or rearranging an entire career around someone else’s medical needs.

For women already navigating wage disparities, limited savings, or the challenge of building retirement security, these disruptions can have consequences that last for years.

Consider the woman who leaves her job to care for an aging parent. She may be saving her family thousands of dollars in professional care expenses, but she’s also losing income, retirement contributions, and potentially access to employer-sponsored benefits.

Her sacrifice may keep her loved one safe and supported today while putting her own financial future at risk.

And that raises an important question: Why does doing the right thing for someone you love so often require putting your own security on the line?

When Caregiving Starts Affecting Your Own Health

The financial burden is only part of the story.

Caregiving can also mean interrupted sleep, chronic stress, missed medical appointments, emotional exhaustion, and the constant pressure of being available whenever someone needs you.

For Black women, these challenges can be compounded by the expectation that they will always be strong, always be capable, and always find a way to make things work.

But strength should never be mistaken for an unlimited capacity to give.

A woman can deeply love the person she’s caring for and still feel overwhelmed. She can be grateful for the opportunity to support a parent and still grieve the freedom she’s lost. She can be committed to her family and still need a break.

Those feelings aren’t contradictions. They’re part of being human.

And caregivers deserve the freedom to acknowledge them without guilt.

Caregivers Need More Than a Thank-You

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the millions of Americans who provide care to family members, friends, and loved ones.

This year’s national theme, “Care Connects Us,” reminds us of the relationships and shared responsibilities that make caregiving such an important part of our lives.

But recognition alone isn’t enough.

At the Black Women’s Health Imperative, we believe conversations about caregiving must also address the systems and policies that shape women’s health and economic security.

That means advocating for greater access to affordable home-based care, paid family leave, respite services, financial assistance, and workplace policies that recognize the realities of caregiving.

It also means challenging the assumption that families, and particularly women, should be expected to shoulder these responsibilities without meaningful support.

Caregiving is an act of love. But love shouldn’t require financial devastation, physical exhaustion, or the sacrifice of one’s own health.

Five Ways to Start Taking Care of the Caregiver

If you’re caring for someone you love, you may not be able to change your circumstances overnight. But there are steps that can help you protect your well-being along the way.

Make your own health a priority. Keep your medical appointments, stay connected to your healthcare providers, and pay attention to signs of prolonged stress or exhaustion.
Get specific when asking for help. Instead of asking someone to “help out,” identify a task they can take on. A sibling might manage prescription refills, a relative might handle grocery shopping, or a trusted friend might provide transportation to an appointment.
Understand the financial impact. Track caregiving expenses and explore available benefits, workplace leave policies, and community resources. Depending on eligibility and location, some programs may offer respite services or financial support.
Build your circle of support. Connect with other caregivers who understand the emotional and practical challenges. Support groups, community organizations, and trusted friends can provide encouragement and information.
Give yourself permission to have needs, too. Rest, companionship, joy, and personal time are not rewards you have to earn after everyone else is taken care of. They are essential parts of your well-being.

It’s Time to Care for the Women Who Care for Everyone

The new AARP findings make one thing clear: Family caregiving is not just a personal responsibility. It is a major health and economic issue.

And when Black caregivers are spending an average of more than half their household income on caregiving expenses, we cannot afford to treat their challenges as private family matters.

We need greater awareness. We need stronger support systems. And we need policies that recognize the tremendous value of unpaid care.

Most importantly, we need to change the conversation.

Instead of simply praising Black women for how much they can carry, let’s start asking what we can do to lighten the load.

Because the woman who takes care of everyone deserves to be taken care of, too.

And not just during National Family Caregivers Month.

Every single day.