AARP Survey: Caregiver Policies Could Influence Midterm Outcomes

AARP survey results indicate that caregiver support is becoming a deciding factor for older voters in the 2026 midterm elections.

The survey found that in 43 competitive congressional districts, the majority of likely voters age 50 and older prefer candidates who back policies for unpaid caregivers. Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research conducted the poll from Oct. 1 to 5, interviewing 1,368 likely voters. The sample included 848 voters age 50 and older, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points. Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research, stated that these voters are the deciders in the election. He noted that candidates focusing on caregivers would make inroads with this critical bloc.

Specific policy preferences emerged in the data. Among surveyed voters over 50, 77% said they would likely vote for a candidate advocating a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers. Another 75% supported candidates who would help family caregivers keep loved ones in their homes. The survey data was weighted to represent the voting population of the targeted districts nationwide.

The financial burden on these voters is substantial. An Edward Jones study reported that Americans caring for aging family members spend an average of $8,737 per year out of pocket. The Employee Benefit Research Institute's 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey showed that 34% of caregivers have less than $10,000 in savings, compared with 25% of non-caregivers. Additionally, 69% of caregivers report debt problems, a higher rate than the 57% reported by non-caregivers.

Individual accounts illustrate these pressures. Brittney Saunders Graves, 33, a part-time counselor in Temple, Texas, spends $600 monthly on her mother's care. She said her mother has about $400 left for food after covering necessities. Paula Bussard, 71, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, spends between $5,000 and $7,000 annually on her son's care. She worries that Medicaid cuts from President Donald Trump's budget bill will reduce the number of providers accepting the program.

Keesha Middlemass, a political science professor at Howard University, warned that the sandwich generation, which supports aging parents and children, will grow as lifespans increase. She described upcoming Medicaid and Medicare cuts as devastating for lower-income workers in the care economy. Sarah Smitley, 50, in Sylvania, Ohio, who cares for her daughter and aging parents, said families need leaders to understand the affordability issues. She cited the difficulty of covering small out-of-pocket medical costs.

Graves expressed skepticism about whether campaign proposals will turn into real help. She questioned whether advertised policies would actually happen.