Helping teen and young adult caregivers

A 2024 study found there are approximately 3.6 million caregivers between the ages of 15-22 in the U.S. These teens and young adults are less likely to be enrolled in school, more likely to experience high levels of stress, and often lack access to caregiving resources or support systems.

“Any stress that young people experience, they often carry it with them their whole life,” said Charlie, Co-Director of The Goldsen Institute at the University of Washington School of Social Work. “So, that increases their risk for poor mental and physical health.”

The Goldsen Institute creates community programs and training courses to help people of all ages and backgrounds live healthy, fulfilling lives. The Goldsen Institute focuses on underserved communities, including young family caregivers. Their Powerful Tools for Caregivers courses focus on how caregivers can take time to care for themselves.

“The caregiving itself is not the problem. It’s unsupported caregiving,” said Charlie. “Any support we can give young caregivers is going to pay off in the long run.”

The WA Cares Fund was created to help working Washingtonians in need of long-term care and their family caregivers. This includes allowing WA Cares beneficiaries to pay a family member as their caregiver using their benefits.

Any family caregiver must pass a background check and complete required training to become a paid caregiver, and they must be employed through Consumer Direct Care Network Washington or a local home care agency.

“[WA Cares] allows young people to see that being a caregiver is beneficial, not a burden,” said Aja, a former teen caregiver who now works for Kitsap Aging and Long-Term Care.  

Aja spoke about her past caregiving responsibilities and how they influenced her career and could influence others: “It can help build future careers. It can help [young people] be successful by helping others.”

Aja was 17 years old when she first became a caregiver for an older woman from her local church who was in hospice. Later, Aja became the primary caregiver for her grandmother, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

Aja’s advice to others is to offer help and understanding to young caregivers, but not to treat them as if they have a heavy burden they cannot handle.

“There’s this misconception that teenagers aren’t as capable or resilient as adults,” she said. “Don’t interject when they’re in the middle of caregiving, but if you’re in a position to help, offer to give them a break.”

In addition to paying family caregivers, WA Cares beneficiaries can use their benefits on other services and supports to help their family caregivers.

Watch a replay of our webinar to hear more about Aja’s story and to learn how WA Cares and other programs can support teen and young adult caregivers.