Written by Carewell Team on Fri Apr 04 2025.
Caregiving isn't just something older adults do — many Gen Zers are taking on this role earlier than expected. Whether caring for a parent, grandparent, or another loved one, these young caregivers are juggling major responsibilities, often with little support.
To better understand their experiences, we surveyed 818 Gen Z caregivers about the challenges they face. From out-of-pocket costs and career sacrifices to emotional burnout, their stories reveal the realities of caregiving at a young age and the support that could make a difference.
Gen Z caregivers spend an average of 74 hours per month and $370 out of pocket on caregiving expenses, totaling 1 month and 7 days and $4,440 annually.
2 in 5 male Gen Z caregivers regularly perform unpaid caregiver work, spending an average of 18 hours on caregiving tasks each week.
Nearly 1 in 4 Gen Z caregivers (24%) have moved back home, while 16% have moved in with the person they care for.
Nearly 1 in 2 caregivers (46%) say their employer's support is lacking — including 1 in 8 (12%) who receive no support at all.
1 in 10 Gen Zers have quit their job because of their caregiving responsibilities.
62% of caregivers say caregiving has worsened their mental health, with 54% experiencing increased stress or anxiety and 46% reporting burnout.
Gen Z caregivers are stepping up in big ways, balancing time, money, and personal sacrifices to care for loved ones. Whether they took on the role out of necessity or because they lived closest, many are navigating this responsibility with resilience and heart.
On average, Gen Z caregivers spend 884 hours a year — about 17 hours per week — caring for a loved one. They also cover an average of $4,440 in out-of-pocket caregiving costs annually, with nearly 1 in 5 spending more than $1,000 monthly. Among male caregivers, 2 in 5 have provided unpaid care, spending an average of 18 hours weekly on caregiving tasks.
Some Gen Z caregivers have changed their living situations to provide better care, with 24% moving back home and 16% moving in with the person they support. Many didn't actively choose this role: 39% of Gen Z caregivers stepped in because they lived closest, while 33% took on the responsibility because no one else could.
Even with their dedication, many feel stretched thin. Over half of women caregivers (56%) and 49% of men said they have some but not enough support. About 1 in 6 caregivers overall felt completely alone in their role. Still, these young caregivers continue to show up, proving just how strong and compassionate this generation is.
Balancing a career while providing care can be a difficult juggling act, especially for young caregivers who often lack workplace support. Many feel pressure to downplay their caregiving responsibilities or make professional sacrifices to keep up with their duties at home.
More than 1 in 4 Gen Z caregivers have turned down a job opportunity because it lacked flexibility. Without workplace support, some had to make even tougher decisions, with 1 in 10 Gen Z caregivers quitting their jobs because of their caregiving responsibilities. Nearly half (46%) said their employer's support was lacking, including 1 in 8 (12%) who said they received no support.
Many caregivers felt pressure to keep their responsibilities hidden. Women experienced this even more, with 22% actively hiding their caregiving role at work, compared to 17% of men. Yet, secrecy was common across genders — 59% of women and 55% of men avoided discussing their caregiving duties to protect their professional standing.
These findings highlight the urgent need for workplaces to create more caregiver-friendly policies so young professionals don't have to choose between their careers and their loved ones.
Balancing caregiving with everyday life is mentally and emotionally challenging. Many Gen Z caregivers face stress, burnout, and loneliness while also dealing with societal expectations about their role.
Caregiving can take a serious toll on mental health: 62% of Gen Z caregivers said it made their mental health worse, while only 9% felt it had a positive effect. Stress and anxiety affected 54%, burnout impacted 46%, and 31% struggled with loneliness or chronic fatigue. Women (59%) were more likely to feel caregiving was expected of them compared to men (25%).
The pressure to juggle caregiving, work, and personal life also wasn't shared equally. About 53% of women felt overwhelmed by this balancing act, while only 14% of men felt the same. Even recognition for caregiving seemed uneven — 19% of women believed men received more praise, while just 10% of men noticed this gap. When asked about gender's role in their experience, 24% of men said it didn't make a difference, compared to only 15% of women.
If you have a Gen Z caregiver in your life — whether it's a sibling, child, friend, or partner — you can help support them. Many young caregivers take on this responsibility and juggle work, school, or personal commitments on top of their caregiving duties. They may not always ask for help, but your support can make a meaningful difference in their well-being.
Family and friends can make a big difference by:
Checking in regularly: Offer a listening ear and acknowledge their hard work. Sometimes, just asking, “How can I help?” can go a long way.
Sharing the load: Help with errands, meals, or caregiving tasks to lighten their burden.
Encouraging breaks: Remind them to take time for themselves and offer to step in so they can rest.
Providing emotional support: Validate their feelings, offer encouragement, and be a source of reassurance.
Helping with resources: Research support groups, financial aid, or respite care options they might not have time to look into.
Even small gestures can help ease their stress and remind them they're not alone.
Employers also have a role to play. Many Gen Z caregivers feel pressured to hide their responsibilities at work, fearing it could affect their career growth. Offering flexible schedules, remote work options, and paid caregiver leave can make a world of difference. Creating an open and supportive workplace culture where caregivers feel seen and valued will help ensure they don't have to choose between their job and their loved ones.
Gen Z caregivers are making significant sacrifices, from financial strain to career setbacks and emotional burnout. Many feel unsupported by employers, overwhelmed by responsibilities, and pressured by societal expectations. Despite these struggles, their dedication to their loved ones is unwavering.
Supporting them doesn't have to be complicated. Family and friends can offer practical help, emotional support, and recognition for their efforts. Employers can foster a more caregiver-friendly workplace by providing flexibility, paid leave, and an open culture of understanding. By working together, we can ensure young caregivers don't have to shoulder this burden alone.
We surveyed 818 American Gen Z caregivers to uncover their hidden struggles. The average respondent age was 25; 54% were women, 43% were men, and 3% were non-binary.
At Carewell, we know that caring for a loved one can be both rewarding and challenging. As a family-owned and operated business, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our mission is to provide the products and resources you need to make your caregiving journey a little easier, so you can focus on what matters most: providing the best possible care for your loved one.
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