1A Best Of: The Financial Burden Of Caregiving
Dec 24, 2025
Emily Peck, a National correspondent at Axios, discusses the alarming rise in in-home care costs significantly outpacing inflation. Financial columnist Beth Pensker shares her insights on the emotional and financial burdens caregivers face, recounting personal experiences with her mother's care. Dana Lynn Rutherford offers her unique perspective as a caregiver for her disabled daughter, revealing the challenges of navigating state support and financial planning. Together, they explore the systemic changes needed to ease the financial strain on caregivers.
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Soaring In-Home Care Costs
- In-home care costs are rising far faster than inflation, creating bigger out-of-pocket burdens for families.
- AARP and Axios reporting show caregivers average $7,242 yearly and face rising labor-driven prices.
Demand-Supply Mismatch Drives Prices
- Demand for elder care is growing while supply of workers is shrinking, pushing prices up.
- Demographics and immigration crackdowns reduce available caregivers and intensify shortages.
A Year Of Care Costing Nearly $300K
- Dana Lynn Rutherford described her daughter Millie's complex needs and the state's role in covering care.
- She reported total care costs near $293,000 for a fiscal year, mostly covered by California and Medicaid.