Family Caregivers in South Carolina
South Carolina is home to an estimated 1,093,000 family caregivers, who provide a range of care and assistance to family members and other loved ones with disabilities or medical conditions (Caregiving in the US 2025). Approximately 80% of long-term services and supports for older adults and individuals with disabilities are provided by unpaid family caregivers. The contributions of family caregivers allow individuals to maintain independence and stay in their homes longer, usually delaying or eliminating the need for placement in a long-term care facility.
In addition to their caregiving duties, almost half (47%) of family caregivers in South Carolina are part of the workforce. Many family caregivers (28%) are also part of the “Sandwich Generation”, meaning they care for an adult while also caring for a child or grandchild. Around 1 in 4 (23%) family caregivers report difficulty managing their own health due to caregiving and 40% report high emotional stress while caregiving. Additionally, 50% of family caregivers have experienced at least one negative financial impact due to caregiving.
Support for Family Caregivers
In 2000, The National Family Caregiver Support Program was established as an addition to the Older Americans Act of 1965. The purpose of the Family Caregiver Support Program is to provide support and services to family and informal caregivers to care for their loved ones in the home and community for as long as possible. These services can help to reduce the stress, depression, and anxiety that can come with caregiving.
The South Carolina Department on Aging works with ten regional Area Agencies on Aging to administer the Family Caregiver Support Program.
Are you a caregiver looking for support?
This page has information about our agency’s mission and programs. If you are a caregiver in need of support, please visit GetCareSC.com to find resources.
Available Services
The Family Caregiver Support Program provides the following access to services to family caregivers:
- Information to caregivers about available services
- Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services
- Individual counseling
- Support groups and caregiver training
- Respite care; and
- Supplemental services, to complement the care provided
Respite and self-care overview
Respite is a short-term break for Family Caregivers. Respite can take place in the home, an adult day facility, an assisted living facility, or skilled nursing facility. These respite breaks can range from a few hours to a few days at one time, depending on the needs of the Family Caregiver.
Taking care of a loved one can cause caregivers to become burned out and overly tired. Caregivers not having adequate time for self-care can lead to caregiver illness and premature institutionalization for their care recipient.
Eligibility for Services
You may qualify for Family Caregiver Support Program services through your local Area Agency on Aging if you meet at least one of the follow criteria:
- Adult family members or other informal caregivers providing care to individuals 60 years of age and older who require assistance with some activities of daily living.
- Adult family members or other informal caregivers providing care to individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
- Older relatives (not parents) age 55 and older providing care to children under the age of 18.
- Older relatives, including parents, age 55 and older providing care to adults ages 18-59 with disabilities
Impact
In State Fiscal Year 2025, South Carolina’s Family Caregiver Support Program served 3,462 family caregivers. Through grants provided by the Older Americans Act of 1965 and State Caregiver funding, over $5.7 million was utilized for services to family caregivers to include respite, supplemental services, and individual counseling. More than 226,000 hours of respite were provided statewide.
Seniors Raising Children
Under the Older Americans Act, “Older Relative Caregivers,” may also participate in the Family Caregiver Support Program. In South Carolina this program is distinguished by the title “Seniors Raising Children.”
Seniors Raising Children are adults, aged 55 and older, who are caring for a child whose parents are unable or unwilling to provide care for the child. The caregivers may be eligible for respite, supplemental services, counseling, and receive assistance with connection to other resources.
In State Fiscal Year 2025, 221 Seniors Raising Children clients were served through approximately $166,000. Services provided included: school related expenses, afterschool programs, extracurricular activities, summer camp, diapers and baby products, and individual counseling.
To be eligible for this program, the older relative caregiver must be providing care to the child in the role of primary caregiver, meaning that the child’s parents are not currently involved in the care of the child. Services are tailored to the needs of the region served.
To learn more about the program in your region, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
The RAISE Caregivers Act became law in January 2018. The Act directed the Secretary of HHS to develop a national family caregiving strategy, with goals of identifying actions for the federal government, state governments, and communities to implement to better recognize and support family caregivers.
The RAISE Initial Report to Congress occurred in September 2021 and included 26 recommendations to improve and better coordinate federal, state, tribal, and community programs to support family caregivers. From the initial report, the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers was developed.
The National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers includes nearly 350 actions for the federal government and 150 actions for states and communities to implement to improve the lives and services for family caregivers.
Five main goals of the strategy include:
- Increased awareness and outreach
- Build partnerships and engagement with family caregivers
- Strengthen services and supports
- Ensure financial and workplace security
- Expand data, research, and evidence-based practices
LifeSpan Respite
Lifespan Respite Care programs are coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults of all ages with special needs (ACL).
South Carolina Department on Aging works in conjunction with the South Carolina Respite Coalition to ensure that respite is available to caregivers across all age groups.
Nationwide Family Caregiving Statistics
An estimated 63 million adults in the United States are caring for an adult or child with disabilities or complex medical conditions.
- 1 in 4 (24%) adults in America have provided ongoing care for a loved one in the past 12 months (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- 60% of family caregivers are in the workforce (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- 61% of family caregivers are women (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- 24% of caregivers are caring for more than one care recipient (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- Average age of care recipient is 69.8 years old (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- Average hours of care per week is 27 hours (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- 23% of caregivers report that it is difficult to maintain their own health because of caregiving (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- 24% of family caregivers report feeling alone or experience social isolation (Caregiving in the US 2025)
- 38% of family caregivers experience high emotional stress because of caregiving (Caregiving in the US 2025)
South Carolina Family Caregiving Statistics
According to “Caregiving in the US 2025: Spotlight on South Carolina”, there are an estimated 1,093,000 family caregivers caring for an adult or child with disabilities or complex medical conditions in South Carolina.
- Around 1 in every 4 adults (26%) in South Carolina have provided care for a loved one in the past year
- The average age of family caregivers in SC is 50 years old
- The average age of individuals receiving care is 69 years old
- 61% are female
- 47% of family caregivers are part of the workforce
- 44% are caring for a parent
- 28% of family caregivers are part of the “Sandwich Generation”, meaning they care for an older adult while also caring for a child
- 31% provide at least 40 hours of care per week
- 42% receive no help (paid or unpaid) with caregiving duties
- 50% of family caregivers have experienced at least one negative financial impact due to their caregiving responsibilities
- 81% of family caregivers have health insurance (19% uninsured)
- 62% of SC family caregivers assist with at least one ADL