Caregiving & Aging
Strengthening Access and Affordability as Demand Grows
As the U.S. population ages, more people need long-term services and supports, yet too many families struggle to access affordable care. Too often, caregivers face financial strain, burnout, and impossible choices, not because solutions don’t exist, but because systems are not designed around real needs. Community Catalyst’s Caregiving and Aging initiative works to change how aging and Medicaid systems respond to care needs, making care more accessible, affordable, and responsive to the realities families face every day.
One in Four Americans Is a Caregiver. Many Don’t Know It.
Caregiving can mean managing medications, taking a loved one to appointments, advocating for their healthcare, translating at medical visits, or helping someone navigate life with a disability. Yet many people doing this work don’t even realize they’re caregivers.
Families across the country face:
- Limited access to home- and community-based services
- Long waiting lists and workforce shortages
- Rising out-of-pocket costs
- Limited influence in policy decisions affecting care
Beyond these barriers, caregiving can take a toll on physical and mental health and threaten long-term financial security, especially as many individuals and families balance caregiving responsibilities for both children and aging parents. Nearly 3 in 10 family caregivers are caring for both an adult and a child under age 18 at home.
Our Unique Role
Investing in Community-Led Systems Change
Community Catalyst brings together caregivers, advocates, and policymakers to advance solutions that expand access to care, reduce financial strain, and strengthen caregiver leadership. Your support helps build a fairer system for the 63 million caregivers in the U.S. who too often shoulder the responsibility of care without the support they need.