The Caregivers

In 2018, I met my future wife in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, very much by a stroke of luck. Almost six years later, we were married in the heart of the Wyoming Rockies. However, before that day arrived, her mother suffered three strokes, leaving my wife and me in the position of caring for her around the clock.

The financial burden, the stress of having to virtually give up our lives to manage the situation, and providing as much support to her mother as possible has been a struggle—at times, even heartbreaking. Becoming a caregiver overnight was something neither my wife nor I ever expected. With little contribution from other family members, whose lives continued unchanged, the responsibility fell squarely on our shoulders. It’s not that they don’t want to help, it’s simply a matter of distance and time available to help. We have done our best to provide emotional, financial, and basic care for a great woman who, on some days, cannot remember the date or what she had for breakfast or dinner the day before.

Seeking help, we reached out to organizations we thought could assist us. What we received, however, was little more than advice on coping with the emotional strain of our situation. There is no financial support unless a family member is willing to sacrifice everything and be placed on Medicaid, making them eligible for a state-run facility or nursing home—an option that is not, and never will be, acceptable for any member of our family.

Becoming a caregiver overnight is a reality millions face, yet few truly understand the emotional, financial, and personal sacrifices involved. As a photojournalist, I set out on a journey to tell the raw and honest stories of caregivers like my wife and me—people who unexpectedly found themselves dedicating their lives to caring for a loved one. This ongoing photo essay, launched in 2024, captures the unseen struggles and unwavering strength of those navigating this life-changing role. Through powerful imagery and storytelling, I hope to bring awareness to the challenges caregivers face and the urgent need for better support.

​In the United States, millions of families find themselves in the challenging position of caring for relatives who have become disabled or are unable to support themselves financially due to medical events or unfortunate circumstances like scams. This responsibility often compels family members to significantly alter their lives, sometimes sacrificing careers, personal time, and financial stability to provide necessary care.​

Prevalence of Family Caregiving

Recent studies indicate that approximately 53 million U.S. adults are family caregivers, assisting older relatives, spouses, friends, or neighbors with daily tasks such as cooking and dressing. This means one in five Americans is a caregiver. The number of family caregivers is expected to grow as the population ages, with projections showing that by 2030, people aged 65 and older will outnumber children under 18.​

Caregiving responsibilities are not confined to older adults; many provide care for individuals with disabilities or those recovering from medical events. Notably, about 32% of women aged 50 or older are caregivers, compared with 22% of men in the same age group. ​

Impact on Caregivers

The role of a caregiver often entails significant sacrifices. Many caregivers reduce their working hours, take unpaid leave, or leave the workforce entirely, leading to financial strain. Unpaid caregivers face numerous financial challenges when providing care for their loved ones, including dedicating a substantial amount of time to caregiving, which can lead to loss of income and career opportunities, reduced working hours, or quitting their jobs entirely. Additionally, caregivers frequently experience emotional and physical stress, with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and other health issues compared to non-caregivers. ​