Press Release

NEW NATIONAL SURVEY: CAREGIVER INTENSITY INDEX REVEALS WHO IS AT RISK AND QUANTIFIES IMPACT OF SUPPORT

ARCHANGELS and SSRS data show caregiving touches every age, political party, and region — and that support cuts crisis risk by two-thirds.

BOSTON, MA – September 23, 2025 – New national data from ARCHANGELS, conducted by SSRS, provides the clearest picture yet of Caregiver Intensity in the United States. The findings highlight where caregivers fall on the Caregiver Intensity Index (CII), how experiences differ by age, and the dramatic impact of support.

Key results include:

  • Prevalence of caregivers in the red, yellow, and clear: The Caregiver Intensity Index (CII) shows that 24% of caregivers are ‘in the red’ (high intensity), 68% are ‘in the yellow’ (moderate intensity), and 8% are ‘in the clear’ (low intensity). Previous research has found that 90% of those ‘in the red’ report at least one mental health impact, along with serious effects across work, relationships, and other areas of daily life.
  • Support makes the difference: When caregivers feel supported—by work, family, friends, neighbors, or the health care system — 14% are in the red. Without support, 48% are in the red. That is a 71% reduction in risk when support is present.
  • Younger vs. older caregivers: Prior research shows younger caregivers (ages 18–34) often report intensity drivers tied to balancing school, early career pressures, and social relationships. Older caregivers (ages 50 and up) are more likely to report drivers linked to their own health concerns, financial strain, and long-term responsibilities. The current survey results support the notion that intensity drivers vary by age, underscoring how caregiving can look different across the life course.
  • Caregiving is universal: The likelihood of being a caregiver, and the intensity of that experience, do not differ by political party, region, income, or education. Caregiving cuts across every demographic and geographic line in the U.S.
  • Connections and tools: Caregivers are turning to technology to learn about conditions, connect with professionals, and find support.

"Care is one of the most universal things we do as humans, and this data shows the risk to our nation when we ignore the impact of the intensity that can come with it," says Alexandra Drane, co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS. "It ALSO shows the massive opportunity when we do address it. The Caregiver Intensity Index doesn’t just flag if someone is in the red, yellow or clear, it shows the key factors driving that intensity – things like stress around money, work, family disagreements, navigating a health system that can feel confusing – and immediately matches them to resources that can help. This matters – because when support is provided, there is an over 70% reduction in the risk of being in the red in the first place – and that’s not only vital for the top and bottom line of our states, our systems, and our employers… it matters to us as humans – increasing connection, reducing loneliness, and improving lives across entire communities.”

Susannah Fox, health and technology leader and co-author of the report, added: "Caregivers are innovators. They are using every tool available to them—from peer networks to digital platforms—to carry the load. This survey helps us understand both their struggles and their resourcefulness."

"These findings underscore the importance of measuring caregiver intensity and acting on the results," says Kristen Purcell, Ph.D., executive vice president of SSRS. "The data are clear: supported caregivers report different experiences than those who don’t feel supported. That is a message for families, employers, health plans, and communities alike."

The survey was conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform for ARCHANGELS and Susannah Fox. Respondents were drawn from every region of the U.S., and results are representative of the U.S. adult population.

Grab the report for all the insights.

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The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a national, twice-per-month, probability-based survey. Data collection for this study was conducted from January 17 to January 21, 2025, and from February 7 to February 10, 2025, among a total sample of N = 2,012 respondents. The survey was conducted via web (n = 1,952) and telephone (n = 60) and administered in English (n = 2,012).

All SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus data are weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults ages 18 or older. The margin of error for total respondents is +/- 2.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. For results among the n=728 caregivers, the margin of sampling error is +/- 4.3 percentage points.