Behind every statistic is a story. Behind every number is a person who deserves support. Each day, across living rooms and kitchen tables in every corner of the country, 63 million Americans wake up and are faced with an extraordinary challenge: to care for a loved one. Quite often they do not choose this challenge—it’s one they take on because there is no available alternative. They balance jobs, families, and other responsibilities while providing the kind of care that can’t be found in a manual. These caregivers provide 63 million reasons to support, advocate, listen, and act.   

This notable figure, from the latest NAC and AARP report, represents a seismic shift. There were 53 million family caregivers in the U.S. just five years ago. In that short time, 10 million more Americans stepped into caregiving roles, often without training, resources, or recognition. 

Despite these growing numbers, family caregivers remain overlooked. They don’t have business cards or hold official titles. They are the spouse managing a partner’s diabetes, the adult child coordinating care for aging parents, or the neighbor helping with grocery runs and doctor visits. And too often, they do it alone—63 million people carrying responsibility that was never meant to be shouldered in isolation.

This November as we mark National Family Caregivers Month, we honor their commitment and deeply respect the care they provide at home. While this month offers a moment to pause and recognize those contributions, Careforth’s work doesn’t begin or end in November. Supporting family caregivers isn’t just our mission for this month; it’s the heart of what we do year-round.

Family Caregivers: The Backbone of America’s Care System

Family caregivers are the foundation of our healthcare ecosystem. They help aging parents live safely at home, support children and adults with disabilities, and keep families connected and whole. Yet far too often, their work goes unseen and unsupported. It’s time to ask the hard questions: 

• Why are so many of the 63 million caregivers still underserved in our healthcare system?
• What can health plans, policymakers, employers, healthcare providers, and communities do to acknowledge and support them?
• How do we build a future where family caregivers can expect support and know where to find it, not be overwhelmed and uncertain of where to turn? 

When we support caregivers, everyone benefits. Families are stronger, health outcomes improve, and communities thrive. We see this truth every day through the stories of caregivers we serve. This month, let’s commit to showing up for them and advocating for solutions that recognize, support, and empower them.

Our Year-Round Commitment to Supporting Family Caregivers

As we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month, I invite everyone—employers, policymakers, health systems, and communities—to reflect on the caregivers in your lives and ask how you can better support them. Whether it’s offering flexibility at work, checking in on a neighbor, or advocating for better policies, every action matters. At Careforth, we see every one of those 63 million caregivers as essential partners in the healthcare system. We believe it’s our responsibility to make their journey easier, healthier, and more sustainable. We’re here to help support the caregivers of your beneficiaries, members, or patients.

To every caregiver reading this: thank you. You remind us daily what care, strength, and humanity truly look like. We see you, we celebrate you, and we’re committed to standing with you every day of the year.

About the author:

Marc Russo is the Chief Executive Officer at Careforth. He brings extensive experience in healthcare leadership, particularly in the managed care sector. Marc’s career includes key executive roles at Molina Healthcare, Anthem, WellCare, Blue Shield of California, and UnitedHealthcare. His work has been centered on improving access to quality care, building high-performance teams, and achieving remarkable business results. As both a healthcare leader and a caregiver himself, Marc brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face. His strategic vision and ability to foster collaboration across teams and stakeholders make him a valuable leader at Careforth, where he aims to continue the company’s mission to empower caregivers and support families at home.