New Survey: Caregiver Burnout Soars as Millions Care for Aging Loved Ones

For many families, caregiving begins with small acts of support. You help Mom get groceries. You drive Dad to a doctor's appointment. You check in daily to make sure medications are being taken correctly.

Over time, those responsibilities often grow into something much larger.

A new national survey commissioned by LogicMark reveals the growing toll caregiving is taking on American families, with caregivers reporting significant emotional, financial, and workplace challenges. At the same time, many say they are increasingly open to using artificial intelligence and connected-care technology to help loved ones remain safe and independent at home.

The findings arrive as America faces a demographic reality unlike anything in its history. In 2025, an average of 11,400 Americans turned 65 each day, setting a historic milestone as 4.18 million people reached traditional retirement age in a single year — the highest on record.

We're in the beginning of what we call the Peak 65 Zone, when we'll see the largest surge of Americans turning 65 in our history." — Cyrus Bamji, Chief Strategy and Communications Officer, Alliance for Lifetime Income, quoted by the AARP.

The National Alliance for Caregiving research shows that 63 million Americans now provide unpaid care to a family member or friend, a 45 percent increase since 2015. That survey suggests many of those caregivers are struggling.

Burnout Is Becoming a National Caregiving Emergency

The LogicMark survey found that 90 percent of current family caregivers report symptoms associated with burnout, while 20 percent describe their burnout as severe.

During an interview with LTC News, LogicMark CEO Chia-Lin Simmons noted that 63 percent of active caregivers experience ongoing burnout symptoms, suggesting varying definitions and severity levels may influence how burnout is measured.

Regardless of methodology, the findings point to a widespread problem.

"Caregiver burnout is widespread because caregiving has become structurally unsustainable," Simmons said.

"The caregiver workforce hasn't kept pace with the growing older adult population, and that gap is being filled quietly by family members, mostly unpaid, with no training, no support systems, and no recognition." — Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO of LogicMark.

Simmons argues that caregiving often remains hidden because it takes place behind closed doors and is frequently viewed as an act of love rather than labor.

"Until we treat this as both an economic and a public health issue, we won't adequately address it," she said.

America's Caregiver Shortage Is Fueling Family Burnout

The survey highlights a broader challenge facing the nation's long-term care system. As the population ages, demand for caregivers continues to rise. Yet the supply of professional caregivers has struggled to keep pace.

Simmons cited projections showing the United States could face a shortage of approximately 355,000 caregivers by 2040. As a result, family members increasingly serve as the nation's default long-term care workforce. That shift has profound consequences.

Many unpaid caregivers provide assistance with transportation, meal preparation, medication management, mobility support, finances, and supervision for loved ones living with dementia or other chronic conditions.

What once might have been shared among family members, neighbors, and community organizations now often falls on a single spouse, adult child, or grandchild. For many families, caregiving is no longer a temporary responsibility. It can become a years-long commitment.

Caregiving Is Reshaping the American Workforce

The survey found that caregiving responsibilities extend far beyond the home. Sixty-seven percent of caregivers reported career impacts, while many said caregiving affects workplace performance, scheduling flexibility, advancement opportunities, and long-term financial security.

The burden was especially pronounced among younger caregivers.

Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z caregivers reported that caregiving negatively affects job performance. Employers increasingly face challenges related to absenteeism, reduced productivity, employee stress, and workforce retention as caregiving demands continue to grow.

"The cost of inaction is enormous, and largely invisible until it isn't," Simmons said.

As America's population ages, caregiving is increasingly becoming not just a family issue but an economic issue affecting employers and communities nationwide.

Gen Z Caregivers Face Pressures Previous Generations Did Not

One of the survey's most surprising findings is the growing burden on younger adults. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z caregivers said caregiving negatively affects their job performance, while half reported harm to personal relationships.

Both figures exceeded those reported by Millennials and Generation X caregivers. Traditionally, caregiving has been associated with adults in their 40s and 50s. Simmons believes that assumption no longer reflects reality.

"What struck me most is the compounding nature of the burden for younger caregivers," Simmons said.

Gen Z is entering adulthood and already facing housing costs, student debt, and an uncertain job market. Now they're absorbing caregiving responsibilities on top of that." — Chia-Lin Simmons.

Many younger caregivers are trying to establish careers, build relationships, and save for their futures while simultaneously helping aging parents or grandparents. Simmons noted that many younger caregivers also experience significant isolation because caregiving is rarely discussed among their peers.

Retirement Crisis Growing Inside the Caregiving Crisis

The survey found that 73 percent of caregivers say caregiving has affected or will affect their financial stability. Another 67 percent reported career impacts.

"We're not approaching that point; we're at it," Simmons said when asked whether caregiving has become a retirement security issue.

When you leave the workforce to care for an aging parent, you're not just losing a paycheck. You're losing employer retirement contributions, investment compounding time, and Social Security credits." — Chia-Lin Simmons.

Simmons believes many Americans underestimate the long-term financial impact of caregiving because the damage often occurs gradually.

"The stark answer is the loss of compounding," she said.

Young and middle-aged caregivers who reduce work hours, decline promotions, or leave the workforce entirely are not only losing income today. They may also be sacrificing years of retirement contributions, employer matches, investment growth, and Social Security credits.

Financial planners often describe compound growth as one of the most powerful forces in retirement planning. Missing contributions during key earning years can create consequences that persist decades after caregiving responsibilities end.

"If we don't act, we'll see an entire cohort enter middle age financially depleted," Simmons said.

The impact is particularly concerning because many caregivers are simultaneously helping their older parents while preparing for their own retirement.

Women Continue to Carry a Disproportionate Burden

The survey revealed significant differences between how men and women experience caregiving. Men were more likely to describe caregiving as rewarding. Women were more likely to characterize it as overwhelming, emotionally taxing, and financially disruptive.

Women also expressed greater concern about becoming a burden on their own families later in life. Forty-three percent said they frequently think about the impact their future care needs could have on loved ones, compared with 29 percent of men.

The findings mirror broader national caregiving research. Women continue to provide a disproportionate share of unpaid care and often experience more career interruptions as a result.

"As a woman who has navigated senior leadership in tech for over 25 years, and who has lived through our own family's caregiving journey, I feel this acutely," Simmons said.

"The financial consequences are severe and lasting." — Chia-Lin Simmons.

Women frequently face a double challenge. They are more likely to provide care while also living longer and facing a greater likelihood of needing extended care themselves later in life.

Why Families Avoid Planning Until Crisis Strikes

One of the survey's most troubling findings may be how little planning occurs before care is needed. According to Simmons, only 19 percent of families have had detailed conversations about aging at home and future care preferences.

Many families avoid discussing:

• Future care needs
• Cognitive decline
• Driving retirement
• Home safety
• Housing transitions
• Financial planning
• Long-Term Care Insurance

The conversations can feel uncomfortable. No one wants to imagine losing independence. No one wants to think about becoming a burden. Yet delaying those discussions often creates greater stress later.

Many families first confront care decisions after a fall, hospitalization, stroke diagnosis, dementia diagnosis, or other health emergency. At that point, choices are often limited, and emotions are running high.

Professional care costs continue to climb. According to the LTC News Cost of Long-Term Care Services Calculator, the average cost of in-home care — based on a 44-hour week — is now $5,673 a month. Assisted living, memory care and nursing home care carry even higher price tags. Costs vary by location and level of service, but the trend is consistent: they rise every year. Experts consistently recommend discussing care preferences while loved ones are healthy enough to participate fully in decision-making.

Emotional Battle Between Independence and Safety

When caregivers were asked about their greatest concern, finances did not rank first. The most common response was a loved one refusing help. Twenty-nine percent cited resistance to assistance as their top fear. The finding reflects a challenge familiar to many families.

Older adults often want to continue driving, remain in their homes, manage their own affairs, and preserve independence for as long as possible. Family members, meanwhile, worry about falls, medication errors, memory loss, wandering, and emergencies.

The result is a difficult balancing act between respecting independence and protecting safety. Financial support alone cannot solve that challenge. Neither can technology. Successful caregiving often depends on communication, trust, and ongoing conversations about changing needs.

Technology Cannot Replace Human Connection

One of the most important themes to emerge from the interview was the distinction between support and replacement. Simmons emphasized that caregivers are not looking for technology to replace family relationships.

"Caregivers don't want a replacement for human connection," she said. Instead, she envisions a hybrid caregiving model in which technology handles monitoring and early-warning functions. At the same time, family members focus on emotional support, companionship, and decision-making.

"In practice, the hybrid model means using technology to handle monitoring and early warning so the human energy in a caregiving relationship can be directed toward what technology can't do: emotional presence, conversation, dignity, and love," Simmons said.

That distinction may help explain why so many caregivers expressed openness to AI-powered support tools. The survey suggests families view technology not as a substitute for caregiving but as a way to reduce uncertainty and provide peace of mind.

AI May Help Predict Problems Before They Become Emergencies

More than three-quarters of caregivers surveyed said they would embrace or try AI-powered health monitoring systems. According to Simmons, the future of caregiving technology may focus on prediction rather than reaction.

Traditional medical alert systems respond after something goes wrong. Emerging technologies attempt to identify warning signs before a crisis occurs. Changes in walking patterns, sleep habits, medication adherence, activity levels, or behavior may signal that health conditions are changing.

If caregivers receive alerts before a fall, hospitalization, or emergency occurs, interventions may be possible earlier.

"The public conversation about AI tends to be driven by the loudest voices rather than the people actually on the front lines of caregiving," Simmons said.

When caregivers are asked directly, they're pragmatic. They're exhausted and looking for anything that gives them better information, earlier warnings, and moments to catch their breath." — Chia-Lin Simmons.

Still, technology is not a cure-all. AI cannot replace family involvement, professional care, companionship, or human judgment. Privacy, security, and transparency will remain important considerations as connected-care technologies become more common.

Dignity Matters as Much as Safety

One of the more nuanced discussions during the interview centered on a concern many older adults raise when new technology enters the home. They do not want to feel watched. Simmons believes successful caregiving technology must preserve dignity and independence rather than create a sense of surveillance.

"Design philosophy is everything," she said.

The distinction between surveillance and support has to be built into the product from the ground up, not bolted on afterward." — Chia-Lin Simmons.

She said older adults are more likely to embrace technology when it helps them remain independent rather than restricting their freedom.

"When older adults feel like technology is working for them, helping them stay in their own homes longer on their own terms, the dignity question shifts entirely," Simmons said.

"It's no longer, 'Am I being watched?' but 'Am I being supported?'" For many families, that distinction may determine whether technology becomes an accepted part of aging in place or another source of conflict.

Aging in Place Requires More Than Good Intentions

Most older adults want to remain in their homes as they age. The survey found that 76 percent of women and 67 percent of men would prefer to age in place. Simmons encourages families to begin planning before an emergency occurs.

"The most urgent place to start is having the conversation," she said.

Experts recommend:

• Conducting a home safety assessment
• Installing grab bars and improved lighting
• Removing trip hazards
• Establishing emergency communication plans
• Evaluating personal emergency response systems
• Planning for first-floor living if mobility becomes limited
• Exploring technology that supports medication management and fall prevention

Simmons describes successful aging in place as a system rather than a product. The most effective plans combine home modifications, family support, professional care resources, communication strategies, technology, and financial planning.

A Personal Connection to Caregiving

Simmons said her interest in connected-care technology grew from her own family's caregiving experiences.

"My mother-in-law's experience with inadequate medical alert technology and our family's caregiving journey is part of what brought me to LogicMark," she said.

That personal experience shaped her belief that technology should support families rather than add complexity to already stressful caregiving situations.

Long-Term Care Planning Can Reduce Family Burden

The survey's findings reinforce an important reality many families overlook. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), 56 percent of Americans turning age 65 today will eventually require long-term services and supports that meet the federal definition of long-term care. Yet many families remain unprepared.

Long-Term Care Insurance is an option my families consider as part of their retirement plan, which can help reduce caregiver burden by providing funding for professional care services, including:

• In-home care
• Adult day care
• Assisted living
• Memory care
• Nursing home care

When an LTC policy is available, families often gain access to professional home care earlier. That support can reduce the number of hours spouses and adult children spend providing unpaid care and may help reduce caregiver burnout.

Medicare pays for short-term skilled care following a qualifying illness or injury, but does not cover ongoing custodial long-term care services such as assistance with bathing, dressing, supervision, or extended home care. Medicaid helps those with limited financial resources. Planning before a health crisis occurs often provides families with more choices and greater flexibility.

Finding Help Before Burnout Becomes a Crisis

Family caregivers do not have to navigate these challenges alone. The LTC News Caregiver Directory provides free access to search and compare more than 80,000 care providers nationwide, including:

• Home care agencies
• Adult day care centers
• Assisted living communities
• Memory care facilities
• Nursing homes

For families with Long-Term Care Insurance, LTC News also offers complimentary claims assistance through its partnership with Amada Senior Care, which helps coordinate benefits and simplify the claims process — File a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim.

Why Caregiving Is Changing How Americans Think About Their Own Aging

The survey suggests caregiving does more than affect those currently providing care. It may also be changing how Americans think about their own futures. Women in particular expressed concern about becoming a burden on family members later in life.

Simmons believes caregiving often serves as a wake-up call.

When you've been a caregiver, you've seen exactly what aging without adequate support looks like: the financial drain, the logistical complexity, and the emotional weight it places on family." — Chia-Lin Simmons.

As a result, many caregivers begin thinking earlier about where they want to live, how they will pay for future care, and what conversations they need to have with their own families. That shift may become increasingly important as the population ages and more Americans find themselves caring for older relatives while preparing for their own retirement years.

Why This Matters

America's caregiving challenge is no longer a future concern. With 63 million Americans now providing unpaid care and the population over age 65 continuing to grow, caregiving has become one of the nation's most significant workforce, financial, and public health challenges.

The LogicMark survey highlights the strain many families already experience every day. It also suggests technology may help ease some of that burden when paired with thoughtful planning, professional care resources, workplace flexibility, and family support.

For many families, caregiving arrives gradually. A ride to a medical appointment becomes weekly assistance. Weekly assistance becomes daily check-ins. Eventually, caregiving can become one of the central responsibilities of adult life. Having conversations early, understanding available resources, creating a financial plan, and exploring options such as professional care services and Long-Term Care Insurance may help families navigate those challenges before a crisis occurs.

For many Americans, the future of caregiving is not a distant issue. It is already here.

LogicMark is a Louisville, Kentucky-based company focused on personal safety, emergency response, and connected-care technology designed to help older adults and others maintain independence. The company provides personal emergency response systems (PERS), health communication devices, safety applications, and monitoring technologies that connect users with family members, caregivers, and emergency assistance when needed.

The company's products are used by consumers nationwide and are also distributed through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health system, along with dealer and distribution networks. LogicMark says its mission is to help people live independently while providing families with greater confidence and peace of mind.

The survey was commissioned by LogicMark and conducted by Talker Research in April 2026 among 1,000 U.S. adults to better understand the experiences and challenges facing family caregivers today.