In the U.S., an estimated 53 million adults serve as unpaid caregivers. As the fastest growing segment of healthcare consumers, unpaid caregivers are generally described as individuals who provide a substantive amount of daily care and support to parents, spouses, or loved ones with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
It’s important to emphasize two key data items here, as ‘estimated’ is a conservative low number that does not include unreported individuals, and ‘unpaid’ does not include the 4.8 million Americans who currently work as paid caregivers. To quantify the economic impact, studies suggest the estimated market value of unpaid family caregiving in the U.S. is a distressing $873.5 billion dollars –– exceeding the cost of home care and nursing home services.
Unpaid caregivers take on what they do out of love, whether it came as a surprise or it was the gradual adoption of tasks around the house and managing prescriptions. But the role of being an unpaid caregiver can have more than a significant time and financial impact of on the individual, and their family.
For the individual, being a caregiver can affect one’s physical and emotional well-being, and their mental health as the additional demands can lead to stress, depression, and burnout at work.
1 in 4 Employees is Likely an Unpaid Caregiver at Home
In May of 2025, it was reported that 163 million people were employed in the U.S., and a conservative low estimate would suggest that one in four employees is likely an unpaid caregiver at home.
After work, these employees begin a secondary role that can be equally demanding as 38% consider their caregiving situation highly stressful. Most Americans also receive their health insurance from their employer, and it’s time to better educate employees so they understand the value of mental health and other benefits that could help support their caregiving efforts.
Mental Health
Mental health services offer support, understanding, and coping mechanisms to better understand themselves in times of emotional or psychological instability. Individuals with good mental health also tend to be more focused and productive at work.
Breaking down the stigmas and providing options for mental health services will help individuals seek help and support.
Support
There are resources available for caregivers, including financial assistance programs, support groups, and respite care. Some states also offer services to caregivers of older adults and adults with disabilities, dementia, and Alzheimers.
A national resource for information can be found at: https://www.caregiving.org/
Personal Representation and HIPAA Waiver
Caregivers can gain access to medical information if the loved one signs a HIPAA waiver, or if they are an approved representative by proxy or power of attorney. Some online patient portals also allow caregivers to access records as a proxy with the patient’s consent.
State laws do vary, but the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act requires hospitals to document caregivers in medical records and discharge plans. Having access to medical information can ensure medications and treatment plans are administered, save valuable time for caregivers, and reduce employee absenteeism.
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Employer benefits and group insurance typically covers the member, spouse and children –– and adding other family members (like parents or siblings) is uncommon. Caregivers might need to to help manage optional plans to cover long-term care, or enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid Advantage plans for qualifying individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions.
Supplemental plans for caregivers are also equally important and available. New plans are emerging that are affordable for both the employee and the employer, and designed to provide convenient access to virtual care, wellness programs, and mental health.
Employee Poll
Asking employees a personal question isn’t easy, but it’s important to know that the utilization rate of behavioral health services has been on the rise in recent years. This increase is driven by the growing awareness and need for mental health, and increased access to telehealth.
Polling your employees to value their interest in access to behavioral and mental health services is a good place to start. The numbers could be surprising.
Open enrollment is the best time of year to review benefit plans to ensure that employees have access to the care they need for everyday health, and support for the caregivers that need help managing additional needs at home.
People make the difference… and so does their well-being.
Tailored Solutions: There are many options available to employers, including new plans that have been improving year-over-year since COVID. As an independent benefits advisor and broker, Esprit Benefits can help with an objective review of your current insurance plans and map out a future strategy that maximizes savings on great benefits. Schedule a free 15min consultation here.
