Family and friend caregivers have a major impact on the health and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities. This caregiving can also have consequences for the caregiver. According to 2020 California Health Interview Survey data, a sizable proportion of family and friend caregivers in California are struggling financially, experiencing physical or mental health problems, and receiving little if any financial support for their caregiving responsibilities. Nearly half of caregivers (44.4%) report experiencing some level of financial stress due to caregiving. About 1 in 7 caregivers (13.5%) report a physical or mental health problem within the past 12 months due to caregiving. Information about the extent and variation of consequences of caregiving among family and friend caregivers can help inform policy decisions about caregiver support programs and resources, which may in turn improve outcomes for older adults and people with disabilities.

This indicator provides data on the consequences of caregiving among family and friend caregivers: Adults age 18 or older who provided care within the past 12 months to a family member or friend with a serious or chronic illness or disability. The consequences include “experienced financial stress”, “suffered a physical/mental health problem”, “had a change in job status”, “experienced one consequence of caregiving”, “experienced two consequences of caregiving”, and “experienced three consequences of caregiving.”

Check out the Caregiving that Works Goal Page to explore dynamic visualizations and view more detailed data related to this topic. In addition, check out the Health Reimagined Goal Page to explore dynamic visualizations and view more detailed data related to the routine and personal care needs of older adults and people with disabilities

To learn more about our data sources and methodologies, please see the Data Dashboard for Aging - About the Data Technical Guide.

• Family Caregiver Resources for California (AARP)
• California Caregiver Resource Centers
  • Five laws in California for Family Caregivers: What you need to know
• VA Caregiver Support Program
• Family Caregiver Alliance
• Paid Family Leave for Caregivers: Eligibility Requirements (EDD)
• Paid Family Leave (California Work and Family Coalition)
• Paid Family Leave (National Partnership for Women and Families)
• What You Should Know About Paid Family Leave and Paid Sick Leave (AARP)
• Caregiving Can Be Costly — Even Financially (2021 Caregiving Out-of-Pocket Costs Study) (AARP)
• The Cost of Caring: Economic Vulnerability, Serious Emotional Distress, and Poor Health Behaviors Among Paid and Unpaid Family and Friend Caregivers
• What Are Strategies to Advance Policies Supporting Family Caregivers? Promising Approaches from a Statewide Task Force
• Who Is Caring for the Caregivers? The Financial, Physical, and Mental Health Costs of Caregiving in California (UCLA Policy Brief)