The Emerging Needs of Gen Z and Millennial Family Caregivers

Abstract

With an aging population, approximately 58 million people in the United States find themselves stepping into caregiving roles for others, especially as healthcare costs rise and facility-based care options become less accessible. Among these caregivers, Gen Z and Millennial individuals represent a significant, yet often overlooked, demographic. These younger
generations often balance caregiving responsibilities with other life demands, such as starting and developing their careers, completing their education, or raising young children. Understanding the unique challenges they face and the resources they require is crucial for shaping systems that support timely referrals, admissions and care.

While 100% of the Gen Z and Millennials who participated in this Transcend research have personal experience caring for a seriously ill family member or friend, 67% have directly been involved in making healthcare decisions for an aging adult or someone living with a serious illness in the past five years. This finding clearly demonstrates that the demands of caregivers are not exclusive to any one generation.

To ensure comprehensive support, home-based care organizations must shift their view and hone their strategies to connect with the distinct needs of caregivers from multiple generations. By doing so, organizations can offer more effective resources that enhance the overall impact of the care provided while building a strong reputation in the community with current and future healthcare decision-makers.

Discussion

This report explores what Gen Z and Millennial family caregivers (ages ~22–42) need from home-based care providers, including hospice. Drawing on a survey of 400 younger caregivers who have supported a seriously ill loved one—two-thirds of whom have acted as key healthcare decision-makers—the authors highlight that these caregivers are juggling work, school, young families, and caregiving all at once. The study identifies three big themes providers must address to serve and engage them well: helping caregivers feel validated, embracing collaborative caregiving, and offering clearly explained high-quality options for care.

Younger caregivers report high emotional and financial strain and deep self-doubt: 90% say caregiving is mentally and emotionally draining, 84% anticipate financial strain, and 70% question whether they can be a “good” caregiver. Their biggest fears include making the wrong decisions, not doing enough, and facing their loved one’s death. When they think about hospice, they value care “where the patient lives,” strong support for the family, and clear guidance on what to expect as death approaches. At the same time, they want a genuine partnership with clinicians—training, coaching, and emotional support delivered in multiple formats (conversations, handouts, online resources, video content). Many prefer to talk with a medical professional but younger respondents are also more likely to seek health information from social media creators. About a quarter don’t feel their opinions are respected by the healthcare community, and many hold misconceptions about hospice (e.g., that it hastens death or that you can’t re-enroll after stopping services), while strongly valuing highly trained staff, quality control, cultural alignment, and transparent information about costs and services.

What is the takeaway for hospice agencies?

This research suggests several practical takeaways for hospice agencies.

Clinically, ask: How are we validating younger caregivers’ fears and doubts and explicitly coaching them instead of assuming they “already know” what to do? Are we offering flexible education (at the bedside, via follow-up calls, texts, and short videos) that matches different learning styles?

Operationally, consider: Do our intake, visit structure, and after-hours support acknowledge that many Gen Z and Millennial caregivers are working full-time or parenting young children? Are we inviting their input and treating them as partners rather than “extras” in the care plan?

From a marketing and outreach perspective, key questions include: Are we clearly addressing myths about hospice (length of prognosis, “hastening death,” ability to restart services)? Do our website, social channels, and printed materials speak directly to younger caregivers’ top concerns? Do we provide emotional support, allow for family involvement in decisions, clear costs, quality and safety, and culturally sensitive care? Using this lens, agencies can refine both care delivery and messaging to build trust with the next generation of decision-makers.

Link to Full Article

Link to article: Emerging Needs of Gen-Z and Millenial Family Caregivers