APFM Study Reveals Women Bear Brunt of Caregiving Costs

Event summary

  • A Place for Mom (APFM) released a study showing 61% of unpaid caregivers are women, with 46% also caring for children or grandchildren under 18.
  • Women caregivers report losing 33% of household income on average, with 25% saying caregiving worsened their career.
  • Nearly one-third of women caregivers say caregiving has negatively affected their physical health, with 53% reporting difficulty sleeping weekly.
  • The study surveyed 1,029 unpaid caregivers nationwide, with 510 identifying as women and 518 as men.

The big picture

The study underscores a systemic issue in the U.S. senior care system, where women disproportionately bear the emotional, physical, and financial costs of unpaid caregiving. This trend exacerbates existing gender inequities in income and career advancement, highlighting a broader societal challenge that requires coordinated action from policymakers, employers, and care providers. APFM's findings position the company as a thought leader in advocating for caregiver support, potentially influencing industry standards and regulatory discussions.

What we're watching

Policy Response
Whether governments and employers will implement structural support for women caregivers, addressing the financial and health disparities highlighted.
Industry Adaptation
How senior care platforms like APFM will integrate these findings into services, potentially creating new products or partnerships to support caregivers.
Market Dynamics
The pace at which caregiving responsibilities will influence women's participation in the workforce, affecting labor market trends and economic stability.