Women's History Month

March celebrates the phenomenal womxn in our lives. As we honor them, it's important to recognize the many roles they play—both seen and unseen—across personal and professional settings. For millions of women, caregiving is not just an act of love but an expectation, a responsibility that deeply impacts their careers, financial security, and overall well-being.

What do I mean? Consider these statistics:

• Women are the backbone of caregiving. Nearly 75% of all family caregivers in the U.S. are women, many providing more than 20 hours per week of unpaid care.
• Caregiving impacts careers. Over 40% of female caregivers reduce their work hours, take unpaid leave, or even leave the workforce entirely to care for a loved one.
• The financial toll is significant. Women caregivers over 50 who leave the workforce to provide care lose an average of $324,000 in wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions over their lifetime.
• The 'motherhood penalty' extends into elder caregiving. While mothers often experience wage gaps due to caregiving breaks, daughters later face similar financial setbacks when caring for aging parents.
• Health and well-being take a hit. Female caregivers are more likely than men to experience stress, anxiety, and chronic health issues due to the demands of caregiving.
• Women live longer—but with fewer financial resources. On average, women outlive men by five years, yet many retire with less than two-thirds the savings of their male counterparts due to interrupted career trajectories.

This Women’s History Month, in a time when so many womxn are afraid of losing rights and freedoms, let’s not only celebrate the incredible women in our lives but also advocate for policies and resources that support them—because caregiving shouldn’t come at the cost of financial stability or personal well-being.

Topics of the Month

Grief & Growth: Check out last week's article on the blog or in last week's newsletter.

The Sandwich Generation: Stay tuned for next week's article on the blog and/or newsletter.

Soft-Launch

Officially Live: The Aging Together Caregiver Hub!

This community has been created based on interest, feedback, and engagement over the past year. In this space, family caregivers can come together to learn, engage, and support one another through a community chat, virtual support groups, and various forms of educational content. Join now for a free trial period until paid membership tiers launch in May!

On the Air

March brings you more personal and professional stories on aging and caregiving.

Caregiver Story #2 of 10 - March 1, 2025

Sarah Boss shared her journey of navigating grief on March 1, 2025.

Professional Insights S3E02 - March 15, 2025

Next week, we go live with professional insights from Janice Russell , the "overwhelm slayer", for those in the sandwich generation.

A Client Testimonial

"Pooja is an incredible guide and support system for anyone navigating the challenges of caring for aging parents. Her deep knowledge, compassionate approach, and practical advice have been truly invaluable. She understands the emotional and logistical complexities involved and offers thoughtful, personalized guidance that makes the journey easier. With Pooja’s help, I feel more confident and prepared to make the best decisions for my Dad's well-being. I highly recommend her services to anyone seeking clarity and peace of mind in this important phase of life.” - P. H.

Hi, I'm Pooja (or Dr. Patel). Following almost a decade of work as an occupational therapist, I now help educate and support family caregivers caring for elders. Join our growing community of family caregivers on Circle.so for connection and support. Learn more at aging-together.com.