AARP Georgia recently recognized 21 members of the Georgia General Assembly who are also family caregivers, highlighting the personal responsibilities many lawmakers carry while shaping policy at the Capitol.

Rep. Sandy Donatucci (R-105), who cares for her mother, led the recognition from the Georgia House floor during Friday morning’s session and presented a poster featuring the legislators’ photos along with key caregiving statistics in Georgia.

AARP Georgia Advocacy Manager Alice Bennett said the recognition was meant to spotlight legislators who “show up for families” and support policies that help caregivers across the state. AARP notes there are 63 million family caregivers nationwide, and in Georgia, about 2.5 million caregivers provide critical support that helps loved ones remain safely at home and in their communities. AARP also highlighted the financial impact of unpaid caregiving, estimating $16.3 billion in unpaid labor, with the average caregiver spending more than $7,000 per year on related costs.

The organization pointed to recent state action, including the creation of the Senate Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiver Services, and cited research warning Georgia is among states nearing an “unpaid family caregiving emergency.” AARP also referenced caregiver-focused laws passed in recent years, including the Georgia Caregiver Act (allowing patients to name a lay caregiver for discharge planning) and the Georgia Family Care Act (allowing eligible workers to use up to five sick days to care for immediate family members). AARP caregiving tools and resources are available online through its caregiving resource hub.