A growing phenomenon, youth caregivers need recognition, support

By Tate Gunnerson, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News

lemono/iStock, Getty Images
(lemono/iStock, Getty Images)

Lea en español

When then-college student Lumiere Rostick learned their grandfather, who had dementia, needed help, Rostick volunteered to move in with him.

Rostick, whose pronouns are they/them/their, worked on remote college classes and in between helped their grandmother clean and cook, as well as feed, dress and change their grandfather – just some of the many responsibilities.

Rostick was not alone. In fact, millions of caregivers are not yet high school graduates.

According to a , there are at least 3.4 million caregivers under the age of 18 nationwide.

Those numbers are likely an underestimate, said Connie Siskowski, a nurse and researcher who founded the (AACY), a Florida-based nonprofit that supports youth caregivers.

In fact, AACY says in Florida alone, nearly 300,000 middle school and high school students provide caregiving of some sort.

"Caregiving youth are not on people's radar," Siskowski said. "What they do is behind closed doors, so it's out of sight, out of mind."

She said the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a greater number of single-parent and single-grandparent households, which can "push caregiving down to the children."

Even for families who have the means to hire additional help, being a young caregiver can take a toll, Siskowski said, and the added stress can negatively impact health, resulting in headaches, stomach problems and an inability to focus on school.

"When you're in a period of extreme stress, it's almost impossible to learn," she said. "They have more anxiety and depression than their counterparts who are not caregivers."

In fact, a found 22% of young adults who dropped out of school did so to care for a family member.

Determined to ease the burden of youth caregivers in Palm Beach County, AACY provides a six-week skills building course from sixth grade through high school, along with home visits, recreational activities, tutoring, mentoring and other services.

"It depends on their needs," Siskowski said. "It's a holistic approach. We try to provide respite that is youth-directed. It may mean a home health aide, delivered family meals or even home cleaning."

More work is needed, Siskowski said, to identify and provide support for young caregivers, both emotionally and financially. She believes providing such support would offer an immediate return on investment.

Indeed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported high school graduates earn more than $8,000 more per year on average than those who do not have a degree.

Unlike many young caregivers, Rostick's grandparents, Georgia and Bobby Philpot, had the resources to bring in additional help when needed. Nearby family members also provided support. In addition, Georgia is a retired nurse.

Lumiere Rostick (right) with their grandparents, Georgia and Bobby Philpot. (Photo courtesy of Lumiere Rostick)
Lumiere Rostick (right) with their grandparents, Georgia and Bobby Philpot. (Photo courtesy of Lumiere Rostick)

"It wasn't all on me, but it still felt heavy," said Rostick, who was 22 when they moved in with their grandparents in Griffin, Georgia, for eight months until their grandfather's death in 2020.

"There were moments that were hard, but it was a really beautiful time for me to bond with him when I hadn't really had that time before," they said. "It was my choice, and it was a choice that I'm happy with."

With the proper support, Siskowski believes caregiving can positively impact a young person's life, providing a sense of purpose and helping them to develop better time management, empathy and other life skills.

"These are amazing young people," she said. "Supporting them is really valuable all the way around, for both the children, their families and society."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News Stories

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News stories reflect the official position of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ scientific journals or presented at ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.