Who Cares for the Caregivers? The 2024 Report Every Family Needs to See

Caregiving is an act of deep love, but let’s be real—it’s also exhausting, overwhelming, and often isolating. As someone who has walked this road, I know how easy it is to feel invisible in a system that wasn’t built to support caregivers. That’s why every bit of progress in the fight for real caregiver support matters.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services just released its 2024 Progress Report on the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. This strategy, first introduced in 2022, was meant to address the growing crisis of unpaid caregiving in America. The latest report outlines what’s been accomplished, what’s in motion, and where we still have work to do. Let’s break it down together—because caregiving shouldn’t come at the cost of your well-being.

In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Administration for Community Living (ACL), delivered a progress report to Congress detailing the federal implementation of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. This strategy was developed by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, with extensive input from family caregivers and the individuals they support.

It outlines a comprehensive framework to ensure family caregivers have the necessary resources to maintain their health, well-being, and financial security while providing crucial support to others.

Key Highlights from the Progress Report:

• Implementation Milestones: Since the strategy’s release in 2022, nearly all of the 350 federal actions committed to have been completed or are currently in progress. Additionally, federal agencies have introduced almost 40 new actions to further support family caregivers.

• New Initiatives: The ACL has announced new awards and initiatives to advance the national strategy. These include grants to states like California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin to develop statewide activities that implement the strategy’s goals.

• Executive Support: In April 2023, President Biden signed the Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers, directing federal agencies to make investments to support care workers, family caregivers, and the individuals they assist.

The Importance of Supporting Family Caregivers:

Each year, more than 53 million Americans provide a broad range of assistance to support the health, quality of life, and independence of older adults or individuals with disabilities. Family caregivers are the backbone of the nation’s system of long-term care—replacing the support they provide with paid services would cost an estimated $600 billion annually. However, without adequate training, support, and opportunities for rest and self-care, caregivers’ health, well-being, and financial security can suffer. Lost income due to family caregiving is estimated to be a staggering $522 billion each year.

Looking Ahead:

The progress report underscores the federal government’s commitment to strengthening the care infrastructure, which is an essential component of the broader strategy to enhance the U.S. economy, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the health and well-being of Americans. The accomplishments detailed in the report reflect significant advancements in supporting family caregivers and highlight the ongoing efforts to build upon this foundation.

For a comprehensive understanding of the progress and future initiatives, you can access the full 2024 Report to Congress on the ACL’s website.

This report is a step in the right direction, but let’s be honest—it’s not enough. The reality is that caregivers are still stretched too thin, losing income, struggling with burnout, and often left navigating a system that barely acknowledges them. The progress is encouraging, but we need to keep pushing for more—more support, more policy changes, more recognition of the work caregivers do every single day.

If you’re a caregiver, please hear me when I say this: You are not alone. Your well-being matters just as much as the person you care for. Keep advocating for yourself. Ask for help. Lean into communities that understand this journey. Together, we are changing the conversation around caregiving—one voice, one policy, and one act of support at a time.

I see you. I stand with you. And I won’t stop fighting for you.  We’ll be keeping an eye out for upcoming changes that may affect you under the new administration. Especially the federal budget cuts and freezes. 💜

With love and gratitude,

Njeri Njuhigu

Founder, The CareBox Network

www.thecareboxnetwork.org