Families Struggle Amid Rising At-Home Care Costs, Leading to Increased Youth Caregiving

As the economy struggles and the aging population requires more complex care, families are turning to middle school and high school students to provide unpaid care to relatives. Advocate Connie Siskowski highlights the financial burden and impact on young caregivers.

Families across the country are facing a daunting challenge as the cost of at-home care skyrockets, surpassing their disposable income. As a result, middle school and high school students are increasingly stepping into the role of unpaid caregivers for their loved ones.

Connie Siskowski, founder and president of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, has witnessed this growing trend firsthand. "We are seeing more students, and one of the reasons is certainly the economy, because people who do not have disposable income cannot afford to hire help at home," she told Fox News Digital.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of at-home healthcare has soared by 72% between December 2005 and March 2024. This sharp increase has made it prohibitively expensive for many families to afford professional caregivers.

Simultaneously, the number of child caregivers under 18 has more than quadrupled, rising from 1.3 million in 2005 to 5.3 million in 2020, as reported by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons.

"We had to convince people that this really was an issue, and so I think that we're reaching that point now," said Siskowski.

Her organization provides support and services to young caregivers both at school and at home. Siskowski estimates that the number of young caregivers today is even higher than the reported figures. Her program alone in Palm Beach County, Florida, recorded a record-breaking 600 youth caregivers in 2023, excluding those who remain unidentified or ineligible for assistance.

These young caregivers often take on significant responsibilities, assisting with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, feeding, and bathing their family members who may be suffering from chronic illnesses or age-related conditions. One student caregiver Siskowski worked with was responsible for managing 21 medications and administering injections.

The responsibilities associated with caregiving can lead to significant stress and anxiety for these young people. Such stresses can interfere with their education, causing disengagement, isolation, sadness, and even dropping out of school.

"What happens when a child drops out of school? Their taxable income is reduced," Siskowski pointed out. "There's more crime, more disease, more teen pregnancy, and more ultimate system dependency."

According to a 2006 Civic Enterprises report, nearly a quarter of surveyed high school dropouts attributed their decision to leave school to care for a family member.

Siskowski emphasized that "no child in our country should have to drop out of school because of family caregiving."

The challenges faced by young caregivers have only intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic, with soaring rent prices and a lack of affordable housing adding to the financial burden. Caregiving expenses, such as adult diapers and over-the-counter medications, have also risen.

Moreover, the shortage of at-home healthcare support and the increasing demand for care from an aging population with more complex medical conditions have further strained families and led to a greater reliance on young caregivers.

"I think some parity from the federal government and recognition would be really critical," said Siskowski. "We can do better. We must do better on behalf of this precious population."