Caregiving Gender Roles Are Beginning to Change

Caregiving is a critical lifeline for many older adults, and it has long been viewed as “women’s work.” At Foundation for Senior Living (FSL), we see a growing shift in gender and caregiving that is challenging long-held stereotypes. As a housing organization that provides services for Arizona’s aging population, we understand how crucial it is to address why caregiver burden is a gender issue and how evolving roles can improve outcomes for both caregivers and care recipients.

What Caregivers Do and Why They Matter

Caregivers assist aging or disabled individuals with daily tasks, such as meal preparation, medication management, transportation, and emotional support. Whether unpaid or professional, these caregivers ensure seniors maintain their dignity and quality of life. Caregiving involves a range of responsibilities, from personal hygiene assistance to complex medical coordination.

Our role as a housing organization extends beyond providing safe environments — we also help connect seniors and their families to essential caregiver services that support day-to-day living. This care is pivotal in preventing social isolation, reducing hospital admissions, and enabling older adults to thrive at home for longer periods.

Shifting Gender Norms in Caregiving

For years, gender inequality in caregiving has been a topic of intense discussion. Historically, women have shouldered the majority of caregiving responsibilities, facing economic and career repercussions. In 2020, the AARP reported that there were over 53 million unpaid caregivers in the US and about 61% of family caregivers were women. However, USA Today’s recent feature on male caregivers indicates that more men are now stepping into this role. This change has highlighted gender differences in caregiving patterns and underscores how men, too, experience gender and caregiver stress when balancing work, personal life, and the demands of caring for loved ones.

These shifting roles help narrow the gender gap caregiving has historically created. As more men assume caregiving responsibilities, communities are beginning to address caregiver burden as an issue that affects everyone, irrespective of gender. By acknowledging these changes, we can better advocate for policies and resources that support both male and female caregivers.

Data on Changing Dynamics

Caregiving is changing as more men step into roles traditionally held by women. At the same time, caregivers of all genders face financial strain and burnout. Below are key data points illustrating these shifts.

Rising Number of Male Caregivers: A Carewell study found that one in three men regularly performs unpaid caregiver work and spends an average of 21.5 hours on caregiving tasks each week. This highlights men’s growing participation in a space once dominated by women.
Financial Strain on the Sandwich Generation: Forbes reports that many caregivers — both men and women — face financial stress while caring for children and aging parents simultaneously. This financial pressure is an increasingly universal burden.
Workplace Burnout: All caregivers experience burnout as they balance careers, family life, and elder care. Our own resources — such as ways to help combat caregiver burnout — highlight strategies for managing this pressure.

The Evolving Face of Caregiving

Our organization has witnessed firsthand how gender differences in caregiving manifest. Women often face unique challenges, such as lower lifetime earnings and reduced retirement savings due to time spent away from the workforce. Meanwhile, men stepping into caregiving roles sometimes struggle with societal perceptions or lack of support systems.

In a Health eCareers article, experts discuss the challenges women encounter in health care and caregiving, such as emotional exhaustion and lack of professional advancement. However, increased male involvement can help reduce gender inequality in caregiving by normalizing caregiving roles for all and creating broader systemic support.

Our Organization’s Role and Expert Insights

As a leader in housing and services for aging populations, we offer adult day health services that provide essential support to both men and women in caregiving roles. These programs enable caregivers to work or rest, knowing their loved ones are receiving professional care, social engagement, and medical oversight.

Moreover, we recognize the importance of relief for caregivers through respite programs and community support. By offering adult day health centers that preserve independence for both caregivers and their loved ones, we are actively reducing gender and caregiver stress.

How to Support Changing Caregiving Roles

Caring for loved ones can be both rewarding and challenging, regardless of gender. Below are four key actions that can help create a more supportive environment for all caregivers.

Access to Resources: Both male and female caregivers should have equal access to caregiving tools, financial planning guidance, and emotional support. Our article on financial planning for caregivers provides tips that benefit all caregivers.

Flexible Work Policies: Advocating for workplace accommodations — such as remote work options and extended family leave — helps close the gender gap caregiving has created.

Community Support: Whether via local nonprofits or housing organizations such as ours, community-based resources can reduce burnout. Visit our main site at FSL.org for more information on what we do.

Education and Training: Helping caregivers understand medical tasks, emotional management, and financial planning is vital. Check out our blog post on National Caregiver Month and destigmatizing caregiving for ways to promote education within the caregiving community.

Addressing Caregiver Shortages and Future Outlook

The demographic shift of an aging population makes gender and caregiving more complex. Across the country, organizations such as ours are coping with a caregiver shortage that affects quality of care. As more men step up to care for parents, spouses, and neighbors, they help mitigate this shortage while challenging traditional norms.

At the same time, the caregiving landscape must continue to evolve. Innovations in technology, flexible housing solutions, and better public policies can pave the way for a more inclusive future. We also emphasize the connection between caregiving and social isolation — an issue that touches everyone, regardless of gender.

A Collective Responsibility

In an era when more people are becoming caregivers, bridging gender differences in caregiving is not only a social imperative but also an economic one. When we ask “Why is caregiver burden a gender issue?” the answer lies in how our society has historically distributed the labor of caring for the vulnerable. By recognizing that men and women both have roles to play, we foster resilience in families and communities.

As these shifts in caregiving continue, our organization remains committed to supporting caregivers and ensuring that seniors receive compassionate, high-quality care, no matter who is providing it. By embracing changing gender norms in caregiving, we can better serve our aging loved ones and build a future where every caregiver feels valued, prepared, and supported.

Established in 1974, Foundation for Senior Living provides integrated, customized care in the Phoenix area for those who need it. We offer a wide range of home- and community-based services, including:

These programs enable Arizonans of all backgrounds to age with confidence. If you or someone you know is struggling to have their needs met, don’t hesitate to contact us to find out how we can help. And if you are able, consider donating or volunteering your time to our mission. We can’t wait to work with you!

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