NPR reported U.S. family caregivers spent an average of $11,508 a year out of pocket, a sum it said equaled 31% of caregivers’ income on average.
The outlet attributed the figures to a new AARP study and said the survey covered 2,538 caregivers. Spending was about 60% higher than five years earlier. Housing, groceries and health care topped the expense list, NPR said. The outlet also reported that about half of respondents had made major financial sacrifices, including increasing work hours, putting less aside or tapping retirement accounts.
NPR contrasted the reported increase with 24% overall inflation but did not identify the months used for that comparison. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said its consumer price index for all urban consumers rose 22.8% from September 2021 to September 2026.
AARP’s 2021 survey offers an earlier reference point: 78% of caregivers reported recurring costs tied to caregiving, and those with expenses averaged $7,242 a year. AARP said it surveyed nearly 2,400 caregivers from March 15 to April 25, 2021, and had participants track spending across 30 categories for one week. The organization says 63 million Americans, about one in four adults, care for older parents, spouses or other loved ones.
CareScout’s 2025 survey provides a separate price benchmark for nonmedical in-home care: a national median of $35 an hour. At 44 hours a week for 52 weeks, that rate yields an annualized estimate of $80,080.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says fee-for-service Medicare excludes routine help with personal activities such as bathing, dressing and eating, whether provided at home or in an institution. AARP supports a proposed federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible working caregivers. The AARP policy page reviewed did not list a scheduled date for a vote or decision.
