Caring for the Caregivers: How AARP Alabama Is Supporting Those Who Give So Much of Themselves

Mark White | The Mark White Show

Each day across Alabama, thousands of quiet heroes rise early, go to work, raise their families, and then come home to care for aging parents or loved ones living with illness or disability. They are the caregivers, family members, friends, and neighbors who provide support that is both invaluable and often invisible.

According to new data from AARP Alabama, more than 1.1 million Alabamians provide unpaid care to someone they love. That’s roughly 28% of all adults in our state.

They drive loved ones to doctor appointments, prepare meals, manage medications, handle finances, and provide comfort and companionship, often without training, pay, or recognition.

To understand this growing issue and the movement to better support caregivers, The Mark White Show spoke with Jamie Harding, Communications Director for AARP Alabama.

A Widespread Need in Every Community

“This is a very large group of people,” Harding said. “And they’re doing a lot of complex caregiving, sometimes medical tasks they were never trained to do.”

Harding explained that the number of caregivers has grown dramatically in recent years as Alabama’s population continues to age. “A few years ago, we estimated around 700,000 caregivers. Now, that number has risen to 1.1 million,” she said.

One of the most striking findings from AARP’s latest report is how many of these caregivers are balancing multiple responsibilities at once.

“About 59% are working part-time or full-time jobs while providing care,” Harding said. “That means juggling schedules, paying out-of-pocket costs, and trying to keep up with everything emotionally and financially.”

On average, family caregivers spend about $7,200 a year of their own money caring for loved ones, buying food, medical supplies, and transportation. “For some families, that’s a quarter of their take-home pay,” Harding said.

More Than Just Numbers: The Human Cost

Behind every statistic is a story, and often, a sacrifice.

Harding shared her own experience caring for her mother, who had vascular dementia. “I had my mother living with me while I was working full time and commuting,” she said. “My daughter was away at college, and sometimes she would come home just to help. I remember feeling guilty both ways, when I was at work, I felt I should have been home, and when I was home, I felt I should have been at work.”

For many caregivers, that emotional tug-of-war becomes part of everyday life. “The guilt of not being able to do it all perfectly is very real,” she said.

A Call for Change

To help address these challenges, AARP Alabama is working on multiple fronts, through both community resources and state and federal advocacy.

“One thing we were proud to accomplish in the last legislative session was removing the state sales tax on incontinence products,” Harding said. “It may sound small, but for families buying those items every week, it makes a big difference.”

AARP is also pushing for a caregiver tax credit, which would help offset out-of-pocket expenses. “It’s a way to recognize not only what caregivers spend, but the value of the care they provide,” she explained.

Harding also highlighted the lack of accessible services in rural areas, from home health care to meal programs, as a major gap in support. “We live in a very rural state. In some towns, resources just don’t exist. That’s why expanding community-based programs and volunteer efforts is so critical.”

How We Can Help Each Other

While government policies take time to change, Harding says there are ways everyday people can step up right now.

“You can volunteer with programs like Meals on Wheels,” she said. “Some cities have waiting lists because they don’t have enough drivers to deliver food. And if you know someone who’s caregiving, even if they seem fine, check on them. Sometimes all they need is a meal, a conversation, or someone to sit with their loved one for an hour.”

Even small gestures, she said, can go a long way toward preventing burnout and isolation among caregivers.

Resources That Make a Difference

AARP has developed a range of free tools and support programs for caregivers, available at AARP.org/Caregiving.

Among the most popular is Prepare to Care, a downloadable guide that helps families organize information before a crisis hits. It walks users through key steps, from identifying legal and medical decision makers to planning financial and care needs in advance.

AARP also offers online support groups where caregivers can connect with others who understand what they’re going through.

“Many caregivers are working full-time and providing as much as forty hours a week of care,” Harding said. “They don’t always have time to go to a support group in person, so these virtual groups help them share advice, vent frustrations, and find encouragement.”

Recognizing the Unseen Heroes

One of the biggest challenges, Harding said, is that many people don’t even realize they are caregivers.

“They’ll say, ‘I’m just helping my dad’ or ‘checking on my neighbor,’” she said. “But what they’re doing is incredibly valuable. Without family caregivers, many more people would end up in nursing homes or other institutions. They’re helping loved ones stay where they want to be, at home.”

She encourages caregivers to acknowledge their own worth and ask for help when needed. “You’re doing something extraordinary,” she said. “But don’t feel like you have to do it alone.”

Preparing for Tomorrow

For those entering later stages of life, Harding offered one piece of advice: plan ahead.

“My parents weren’t wealthy, but they took the time to do their estate planning early, setting up medical and financial power of attorney, advance directives, all of it,” she said. “When my mom’s health declined, that preparation was a gift. It made everything easier for us as a family.”

She added that preparation reduces stress for everyone involved and allows loved ones to focus on what truly matters, being together.

Moving Forward Together

Caregiving is an act of love, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of one’s health, finances, or peace of mind.

“This is an issue that affects everyone,” Harding said. “If you haven’t been a caregiver, you will be, or you’ll need one. It’s time we value that work, support it, and recognize the people doing it.”

Family caregivers are the backbone of our communities. They give their time, their energy, and their hearts, not because they have to, but because love calls them to.

And as Jamie Harding and AARP Alabama remind us, the least we can do is make sure they don’t walk that road alone.

For more information and resources, visit AARP.org/Caregiving.