Caregiving costs emerge as midterm election issue, survey finds

AARP poll shows strong support among older voters for candidates backing caregiver tax credits

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

A new AARP survey suggests that caregiving costs could be a decisive issue in the 2026 midterm elections, with 77% of likely voters aged 50 and older in 43 competitive districts saying they would be more likely to support candidates who advocate for a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers.

The findings, based on interviews with 1,368 likely voters conducted Oct. 1–5, highlight the financial strain on the estimated 59 million Americans who provide unpaid care for adult relatives. According to the survey, 75% of older voters also said they would be more likely to back candidates who support policies helping caregivers keep loved ones at home.

“Voters ages 50 and above are going to be the deciders in the election,” said Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research, which conducted the survey with Fabrizio Ward. “So for candidates looking to win over this critical voting bloc, a focus on helping caregivers would go a long way.”

The financial pressures on caregivers are severe. A separate Edward Jones study found that caregivers spend an average of $8,737 per year out of pocket. The Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey reported that 34% of caregivers have less than $10,000 in savings, compared with 25% of non-caregivers, and 69% say debt is a problem, versus 57% of non-caregivers.

Personal accounts illustrate the burden. Brittney Saunders Graves, a 33-year-old Army veteran in Temple, Texas, spends about $600 a month helping her mother, who had a stroke. “After we set aside the necessities, leaving out medication, doctor’s appointments, she only has around $400 to cover food,” Graves said. Sarah Smitley, a family navigator in Ohio who cares for her adult daughter and her aging parents, said she wants political leaders to understand that “it’s not easy to come up with another $50.”

Looking ahead, cuts to Medicaid tied to President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” are set to take effect in January. Paula Bussard, a Pennsylvania retiree caring for her adult son, worries the cuts will reduce access to doctors and home health agencies. “Political candidates need to know that every human being deserves dignity, respect and health care,” she said.

Despite the attention, some caregivers remain skeptical. “When you look at, okay, this is being advertised, but then you peel it back, it’s like, will this happen?” Graves asked.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Caregivers represent a large and growing voting bloc, 59 million Americans, whose financial struggles could sway competitive House races in 2026.
Out-of-pocket costs averaging nearly $9,000 per year are straining savings, retirement, and debt levels, making caregiver support a pressing economic issue.
Upcoming Medicaid cuts may deepen the crisis, forcing more families to choose between care and other necessities.

Background

The US has an estimated 59 million unpaid family caregivers, many of whom spend significant portions of their income on a loved one’s medical and daily needs. The “sandwich generation”, those caring for both children and aging parents, is growing as lifespans increase. Policy proposals such as tax credits for caregivers have been discussed at state and federal levels but have not yet passed.

Key Perspectives

Caregivers: say they face severe financial burdens and want candidates to understand the difficulty of covering costs even with insurance. (Quotes from Graves, Smitley, Bussard) Voters aged 50 and older: according to the AARP survey, 77% say they are more likely to support candidates who back a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers, and 75% favour policies that help caregivers keep loved ones at home.

What to Watch

The 2026 midterm elections in November, where caregiver policy could become a campaign focus in competitive districts.
Implementation of Medicaid cuts in January 2027 under the “big beautiful bill,” which could further strain caregiving families.
Whether candidates from either party propose specific caregiver tax credits or support programmes in response to voter pressure.

Sources

Caregiving for adult relatives can cost thousands. AARP survey finds support could matter to midterm voters · CNBC

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedCaregiving costs are emerging as an issue in the 2026 midterm elections, according to the survey.US Top News and Analysis: “And the issue is emerging in the 2026 midterm elections.”
SupportedThe AARP poll shows strong support among older voters for candidates backing caregiver tax credits.US Top News and Analysis: “Among those older surveyed voters, 77% said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers who help pay for a loved one's care.”
Partly supportedCaregiving costs could be a decisive issue in the 2026 midterms.US Top News and Analysis: “Because voters 50 and up comprise one of the most important voting blocs, the survey shows that support could make a difference in closely contested races.”
SupportedIn 43 competitive districts, 77% of likely voters aged 50 and older said they would be more likely to support candidates advocating a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers.US Top News and Analysis: “Among those older surveyed voters, 77% said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers who help pay for a loved one's care.”
Supported75% of older voters said they would be more likely to back candidates supporting policies that help caregivers keep loved ones at home.US Top News and Analysis: “Nearly as many, 75%, said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for support for unpaid family caregivers helping loved ones remain in their homes.”
SupportedMatt Hogan said, “Voters ages 50 and above are going to be the deciders in the election.”US Top News and Analysis: “Voters ages 50 and above "are going to be the deciders in the election," said Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research, a public opinion research and consulting firm.”
Partly supportedAn estimated 59 million Americans provide unpaid care for adult relatives.US Top News and Analysis: “Some 59 million Americans provide care for an adult family member, neighbor or friend, according to a recent report from AARP”
Partly supportedAn Edward Jones study found caregivers spend an average of $8,737 a year out of pocket.US Top News and Analysis: “A new study from Edward Jones found that Americans caring for aging family members spend an average of $8,737 per year out of pocket”
SupportedThe EBRI survey found 34% of caregivers had less than $10,000 in savings, compared with 25% of non-caregivers.US Top News and Analysis: “About one-third, 34%, of caregivers reported having less than $10,000 in savings and investments, compared with 25% of non-caregivers.”
SupportedThe EBRI survey found 69% of caregivers said debt was a problem, versus 57% of non-caregivers.US Top News and Analysis: “More than two-thirds, 69%, of caregivers said debt is a problem, compared with 57% of non-caregivers.”
Partly supportedBrittney Saunders Graves said, “After we set aside the necessities, leaving out medication, doctor’s appointments, she only has around $400 to cover food.”US Top News and Analysis: “"After we set aside the necessities, leaving out medication [and] doctor’s appointments, she only has around $400 to cover food," Graves said.”
Partly supportedSome Medicaid cuts under Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” are set to take effect in January.US Top News and Analysis: “Some Medicaid cuts under President Donald Trump’s "big beautiful bill" will take effect in January.”