Photo: Rod Long | Unsplash
As America grows older, more people are becoming caregivers to a loved one in need—including young people thrust into a role for which they have little training or support. There are few firm statistics on the number of caregivers aged 18 or younger, but the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and National Alliance for Caregiving estimate that 3.4 million children are in caregiving roles across the country; some estimates put that number closer to 6 million. Hispanic, Black, and Asian children are more likely to fall into caregiving roles. Youth caregivers suffer the same physical, psychological, and financial ramifications that adult caregivers experience. Plus, according to Connie Siskowski, founder of American Association of Caregiving Youth, "a child’s growth and development may be affected by the assumption of physical responsibilities beyond physical readiness, as well as by social and emotional burdens for which he or she is ill-prepared." Multiple organizations and efforts across the country have been formed in recent years to spotlight, train and equip, and recognize youth caregivers.
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