What do family caregiving statistics really tell us, and what do they leave out?

In Episode 3 of the Care For We Podcast, co-hosts Sarah Rasby and Drew Bohlke are joined by special guest Jina Ragland, Senior Associate State Director of Advocacy and Outreach for Nebraska AARP. Together, they explore the current landscape of family caregiving in Nebraska and across the United States, examining the numbers that help define caregiving while also uncovering the human stories behind the data.

The conversation highlights the prevalence of family caregiving, the economic value caregivers provide, the challenges many caregivers face, and the implications these realities have for families, communities, healthcare systems, and policy. Most importantly, Sarah, Drew, and Jina discuss how statistics represent real people whose experiences often remain unseen despite the critical role they play in supporting loved ones.

Co-Hosts: Sarah Rasby and Drew Bohlke

Special Guest: Jina Ragland, Senior Associate State Director, Nebraska AARP

Audio Editing: Ben Frerichs

References and Resources

AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving. (2020). Caregiving in the United States 2020. Washington, DC: Author.

AARP Public Policy Institute. (2023). Valuing the Invaluable: 2023 Update—Strengthening Supports for Family Caregivers. Washington, DC: Author.

National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) & AARP. (2020). Caregiving in the U.S. 2020. Washington, DC: Author.

Nebraska AARP. (2024). Nebraska Family Caregiver Resources and Advocacy Information. Lincoln, NE: AARP Nebraska.

AARP Nebraska Caregiving Resources

Caregiving in the U.S. Report

Valuing the Invaluable Report