This week A Place for Mom, a platform that helps Americans navigate aging and disability, released two new studies that shed light on the growing crisis facing family caregivers. The findings reveal the growing scale of family caregiving in the US, while documenting the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges of providing care.
Talkspace, a leading national online mental health provider, collaborated with A Place for Mom to produce key mental health insights captured in the 2025 State of Caregiving Report. This report offers a data-driven look at the emotional and financial dimensions of caregiving in the U.S. The 2025 Senior Care Search Trends Report reveals how families navigate senior care decisions—often sooner than expected, with limited guidance, and under financial and emotional pressure.
“Our data shows that nearly three out of four caregivers feel unprepared for this role, and it’s no surprise,” said Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO of A Place for Mom, in a press release. “There’s no playbook for caring for a loved one. The first thing we need to do is remove the stigma, start the conversation earlier, and use technology to help families feel more supported, connected, and confident.”
The 2025 State of Caregiving Report reveals the deep emotional toll caregiving takes on families. Many enter this role without preparation or support, leading to widespread emotional stress and self-doubt. Key findings include:
- 74% of caregivers do not feel fully equipped for the demands of caregiving, with only 26% feeling prepared.
- Most family caregivers experience stress or anxiety (75%), feelings of being overwhelmed (71%), difficulty sleeping (67%), and burnout (63%) at least monthly.
- Fewer than one in five caregivers (19%) take advantage of therapy due to cost or time barriers—even though 77% of those who do seek therapy find it very helpful.
Despite the emotional strain, many caregivers find deep personal meaning in the experience. More than half (62%) say their relationship with their loved one has improved since they began caregiving. Yet without planning and support, families can reach a breaking point.
“We see every day how the emotional load of caregiving can impact an individual’s wellbeing,” said Talkspace’s chief growth officer, Erin Boyd. “By partnering with A Place for Mom to launch this report, we’re helping shed light on the emotional strain and need for trusted, on-demand mental health resources.”
The 2025 State of Caregiving Report also explores the financial strain that is one of the defining pressures for caregivers:
- 69% of caregivers say caregiving strains their finances, with 26% reporting significant strain, up from 20% in 2024.
- Nearly half say their career has been affected. Eleven percent have quit their jobs and 35% have less time for work, resulting in an estimated $21,000 average loss in annual income.
- To cope, families report cutting discretionary spending (42%), delaying major purchases (34%), tapping personal savings (30%), and taking on credit card debt (28%).
These financial realities reflect more than just household budgets. They underscore a growing national crisis in family care. As costs rise and work-life balance erodes, caregivers are being asked to do more with less support.
Together, the findings from the State of Caregiving Report illustrate a clear pattern: caregivers are under extraordinary emotional and financial strain, and too often, they’re facing these challenges alone.
When it comes time to find senior care, many families begin that search in moments of crisis, not preparation. The 2025 Senior Care Search Trends Report shows that earlier conversations and better support could ease this burden, helping families feel more informed, confident, and in control when care decisions arise.
The 2025 Senior Care Search Trends Report shows that families often begin their care search later than ideal:
- 54% wish they had started planning sooner; among those currently searching, 77% wish they had begun earlier.
- Many expect months or years to plan, but the reality is that more than two-thirds (69%) of those who secure senior care search for 60 days or less.
- 88% say families need more guidance and support understanding options.
“These reports demonstrate both the urgency and opportunity within America’s caregiving landscape,” said Zlotsky. “Behind every data point is a family, doing their best to care for someone they love. Our work is about honoring that effort and ensuring caregivers no longer have to shoulder that weight alone.”
To review these reports, click here:
2025 State of Caregiving Report
2025 Senior Care Search Trends Report