2021–22 Unpaid Eldercare in the United States – Data from the American Time Use Survey — 2023-09-21

Fourteen percent of the civilian noninstitutional population age 15 and over, or 37.1 million people, provided unpaid eldercare, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A little over one-fourth (28 percent) of eldercare providers engaged in unpaid eldercare on a given day, spending an average of 3.6 hours providing this care. These estimates are averages for the 2-year period of 2021-22. Eldercare providers are defined as individuals who provide unpaid care to someone age 65 or older who needs help because of a condition related to aging. This care can be provided to household or nonhousehold members, as well as persons living in retirement homes or assisted care facilities. Eldercare can involve a range of care activities, such as assisting with grooming, preparing meals, and providing transportation.