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A new report by AARP<\/a> shows that Pennsylvania<\/a>\u2018s family caregivers<\/a> are providing\u00a0$40 billion\u00a0worth of labor each year.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Most of this work is unpaid, But AARP said it forms the backbone of the nation\u2019s long-term care system<\/a> that is essential to helping millions of older adults live independently at home.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Without family caregivers, the association said,\u00a0many more Pennsylvanians would rely on expensive institutional care, driving significantly higher costs for taxpayers and public programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFamily caregivers are a major economic force, filling critical gaps in our health care system<\/a> every single day,\u201d said Bill Johnston-Walsh<\/a>,\u00a0AARP Pennsylvania\u00a0state\u00a0director.\u00a0\u201cThe economic value<\/a> of their unpaid care now exceeds $40 million annually, yet caregivers too often pay the price with their own health, financial security, and well-being. AARP is fighting to ensure family caregivers get the support they deserve \u2013 saving them time and money and recognizing their essential role in our communities.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n According to the report, in 2026,\u00a02.2 million Pennsylvanians are caregivers of adults, providing care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing\u00a02.1 billion hours\u00a0of care annually. That\u00a0work\u00a0would be valued at\u00a0$40 billion\u00a0per year if paid in the marketplace, based on a value of $19.05 per hour, it said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Nationally,\u00a059 million Americans are caregivers of adults, providing care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing\u00a049.5 billion hours\u00a0of care annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a049.5 billion hours\u00a0of care provided each year is the equivalent of\u00a0nearly 24\u00a0million full-time workers,\u00a0AARP said\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0roughly 17%\u00a0of the entire U.S. full-time workforce.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n