En Español | WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s Executive Order to support family caregivers, early educators, and long-term care workers:

“AARP applauds today’s Executive Order recognizing the need to make family caregivers a national priority to meet the rapidly growing needs of families across America. Family caregivers are the indispensable backbone of our health and long-term care system, help their loved ones live at home, and they are exhausted. The more than 48 million Americans, including 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers, who help care for an older parent, spouse or other loved one often put their own health, financial and emotional wellbeing aside—and at risk. AARP has been fighting to give these families a voice and some needed relief. This is a nonpartisan issue that affects us all, but it does not get nearly the recognition or support it deserves.

“Family caregivers are an essential but often invisible part of almost any care team, who are often in desperate need of more support. Millions of Americans provide care to their family and friends, totaling an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor per year. Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing help in their remaining years—most of us have been caregivers, are caregivers, will be caregivers, or will need a caregiver one day.

“Family caregivers work hand-in-hand with the paid direct care workforce. We need to strengthen and support this care team, and that includes investing in the 4.7 million long-term care workers, including those in nursing homes, and the families they serve, helping to improve recruitment, retention, and training for direct care workers.

“Today’s Executive Order is an important step forward, building on the first-ever National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers released last fall, the result of years of bipartisan effort in Congress. We stand ready to work with the Administration to advance the important policies to support family caregivers and the long-term workforce. We will continue to work with bipartisan leaders in Congress to advance legislation that can further deliver relief to family caregivers such as paid leave, family caregiver tax credits and other reimbursement programs, and other supports.

“AARP has spent decades fighting for family caregivers across the country, and we won’t stop until their needs are addressed—and their voices are heard.”

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.