A Resolution for 2026: Don’t Forget the Caregivers

As families look ahead and set health goals for 2026, remember the people keeping everyone else healthy.

There's an invisible workforce in America that numbers in the tens of millions. They work around the clock, perform complex medical tasks, make life-or-death decisions, and keep our healthcare system functioning. Most of them have never received formal training, don't earn a paycheck, and remain largely invisible to policymakers and the public alike.

They're family caregivers  and they're reaching a breaking point. Many of us have New Year's resolutions focused on our own health; maybe we all should add to our list those family caregivers who rarely have the time or energy to think about their own well-being. 

There are about 63 million family health care workers in the United States, some paid but most unpaid, according to a report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. 

Essential Care

Family caregivers provide more than $870 billion in services, quietly supporting elderly parents, partners with chronic disease, and children with special needs. But these largely invisible caregivers, who are the backbone of our care system, are strained and in crisis. Most caregivers, 64 percent, experience intense emotional stress, while about 45 percent report physical stress. 

As the AARP report notes: "Feelings of isolation have increased since 2020 with 24 percent of caregivers saying they feel alone."

Family caregivers are a critical part of our healthcare ecosystem, managing everything from post-surgery recovery to dementia care, often without pay, respite, or recognition. Research shows caregiving can take a serious toll on physical and mental health, increasing risks for depression, chronic illness, and financial strain. 

Despite all that, caregivers show up because they're often doing this work out of love. 

They need some help.

How to Help

Instead of only setting personal goals, take time to check in on the caregivers in your life. Here are some things you can do:

• Ask caregivers how they're doing, and then really listen.

• Offer caregivers tangible help, such as dropping off a meal, running an errand for them, or giving them a few hours of respite.

• Encourage caregivers to take breaks. Even a short walk, a therapy appointment, or a moment to rest can help restore energy and perspective.

• Helping caregivers connect with resources, such as the Family Caregiver Alliance, the National Alliance for Caregiving, and state-level caregiver support programs, can help.

Individual gestures matter, but caregiving is also a public health issue, so taking the step to advocate for policies that recognize caregiving as essential labor elevates it beyond something personal. That also means pushing for workplace flexibility, paid family leave, and healthcare benefits that account for caregivers' needs, all of this ties caregiving to workforce policy, healthcare access, and demographic change.

We know these needs will only grow as our population ages and chronic conditions rise; families will take on more of the care responsibilities. Recognizing caregivers' needs and their role, and making the invisible visible, goes a long way toward bolstering this work. Without stronger systems in place that formalize respite programs, caregiving stipends, and mental health coverage, this essential and strained caregiving could break down, risking the well-being of families and whole communities. 

Supporting caregivers means strengthening the foundation of our healthcare system itself. Recognizing their contributions is smart public health.

A New Kind of Resolution

This January, as you set your goals for eating better, moving more, or finally scheduling that overdue checkup, take a moment to think about the caregivers in your life. That could mean reaching out to a friend who's caring for an aging parent. It could be advocating for caregiver-friendly policies in your workplace. Or it's simply taking time to rest if you're a caregiver yourself.

Learn more about how Shadownurse can help the caregivers in your life here.