More than 63 million Americans play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of loved ones living with illness, disability, or age-related needs. Despite the critical role caregivers play, many face physical, mental, and financial challenges as a direct result of their caregiving responsibilities.

Marvell Adams Jr., CEO of the Caregiver Action Network, joins Comcast Newsmakers host Tetiana Anderson to discuss the role of caregivers, the challenges they face, and resources available to help improve their quality of life.

What You’ll Learn in This Interview

• Who caregivers really are — The 63 million neighbors, family members, friends, and community members providing critical support across America
• The growing caregiving crisis — Why the number of caregivers has jumped by 20 million in the past decade and what’s driving this historic demographic shift
• The real cost of caregiving — How nearly one in four caregivers provide 40+ hours of care weekly, and nearly half experience major financial impacts like debt or stopping savings
• Warning signs of caregiver burnout — The physical, emotional, and financial toll of being “on” all the time and why self-care isn’t optional
• Resources you can access today — How Caregiver Action Network serves as a single point of entry for support, whether you need mental health resources, payment guidance, or disease-specific education
• Policy opportunities that matter — Where legislative support can make the biggest difference in reducing caregiver financial strain and improving quality of care

Key Takeaways for Caregivers

🧡 You are not alone — Tens of millions of Americans are on this journey with you, and most became caregivers overnight without planning for it

🧡 Self-care is not selfish — When caregivers burn out, there’s often no backstop for the person receiving care

🧡 You deserve support too — You’re not “just being a great son or sister”—you’re a human serving a human, and you need resources just as much as your loved one does

🧡 Financial help exists — Many states offer programs to compensate family caregivers, and resources are available to navigate insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid

🧡 Help is one call away — The National Family Caregivers Help Desk connects you to resources no matter what challenge you’re facing