Caring for a loved one with dementia is one of the most meaningful acts a person can do - but it can also be one of the most demanding. And for many, this responsibility comes on top of full-time work, raising children, and managing their own health and finances.

A recent Harvard Gazette article explores the growing tension faced by millions of caregivers in the U.S. today. Based on new research and expert interviews, the report sheds light on the emotional, financial, and logistical toll of caregiving - and the urgent need for more supportive systems.

A Growing, Under-Supported Workforce

There are more than 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. today. Many are part of the "sandwich generation" - people simultaneously caring for children and aging parents. When a loved one has dementia, the complexity of caregiving increases dramatically.

Harvard’s report cites a 2024 publication from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, noting that caregivers are under-recognized, overburdened, and stretched thin. Despite being the invisible backbone of healthcare, they often face:

• Loss of income from cutting work hours

• Increased mental health struggles like anxiety and depression

• Isolation from peers and family

• Lack of access to respite services or paid leave

The Economic and Career Cost

Caregivers routinely make career sacrifices - delaying promotions, reducing hours, or leaving the workforce altogether. This not only affects their income now, but also their long-term retirement security, especially for women, who make up a majority of caregivers.

A lack of supportive employer policies worsens the strain. Many caregivers don’t disclose their responsibilities to employers out of fear of being viewed as unreliable or less committed. As a result, they miss out on flexible work arrangements or potential benefits.

The Mental Health Toll

Beyond time and finances, caregiving takes a massive emotional toll. Caregivers of people with dementia report higher levels of stress and burnout than other caregiver groups, particularly due to:

• Behavioral and personality changes in the person they’re caring for

• Unpredictable care demands

• Guilt when care is not perfect

• Grief and anticipatory loss

And yet, few receive counseling or support group access, even though studies consistently show it improves outcomes for both caregiver and recipient.

What’s Needed: Policy, Tech, and Cultural Change

The Harvard article calls for several systemic changes to better support dementia caregivers:

• Paid family caregiving leave policies at national and state levels

• Expanded respite care through Medicaid and community grants

• Increased access to dementia-specific education and mental health support

• Workplace flexibility policies that allow caregiving without penalty

• Cultural narratives that normalize caregiving and reduce shame around needing help

Tools like Elli Cares play a vital role in filling the current gap, offering structured digital support that helps caregivers manage tasks, monitor loved ones remotely, and stay organized - even while juggling other life demands.

Recognizing the Whole Person Behind the Role

Perhaps most powerful in the article is the reminder that caregivers are not just doing a job - they are real people holding complex lives together. They are daughters, sons, partners, friends. Many are also battling their own health issues or trauma.

By recognizing the emotional, financial, and logistical demands of caregiving, we move closer to systems that support - not just celebrate - caregivers.

👉 Read the full article on Harvard Gazette