Family Caregivers in Idaho Provide $3 Billion in Unpaid Care to Loved Ones

Latest AARP research attaches $3 billion value to the estimated 193 million hours of unpaid care that family caregivers provided in 2021.

The unpaid care provided by the 210,000 caregivers in Idaho is valued at $3 billion annually, according to new state data available in AARP’s latest report in the Valuing the Invaluable series. This is a $900 million increase in unpaid contributions since the last report was released in 2019. The report highlights the growing scope and complexity of family caregiving and highlights actions needed to address the many challenges of caring for parents, spouses, and other loved ones.

“Family caregivers play a vital role in Idaho’s health care system, whether they care for someone at home, coordinate home health care, or help care for someone who lives in a nursing home,” said Lupe Wissel, AARP state director. “We want to make sure all family caregivers have the financial, emotional, training and social support they need, because the care they provide is invaluable both to those receiving it and to their community.”

AARP Idaho provides legislative advocacy for family caregivers and the loved ones who depend on them for care. For example, AARP Idaho continues to advocate for the full funding of the Idaho Commission on Aging’s budget request to increase protections for our older populations, services designed to help family caregivers, and programs to help older Idahoans age in their own homes.

Read the full report for national and state-by-state data on the economic value of unpaid care by family and friends.

Resources and information on family caregiving are available at aarp.org/caregiving.