Caregiving brought unforeseen strain after author's stroke

A caregiving researcher suffered a stroke and describes how her husband became her primary caregiver, taking on daily logistics, emotional support and financial burdens; she highlights study findings on caregiver numbers and costs and points to policy ideas like a tax credit and better health data sharing.

The author, who has studied caregiving for years, describes becoming a care recipient after a stroke in September 2025 and the changes that followed for her family. Her husband, Patrick, moved from being a partner to managing day-to-day logistics, medical coordination and much of her emotional support. The author's prior research and a 2024 study that estimated roughly 105 million caregivers in the U.S. provide context for her experience. She highlights economic pressures on caregivers and problems with sharing medical information across electronic records. Key facts: - The author suffered a stroke during a work trip in September 2025 and required rehabilitation, including relearning basic skills. - Her husband, Patrick, became the primary caregiver, handling appointments, prescriptions, household tasks and providing ongoing emotional support. - The author co-led a 2024 study estimating about 105 million U.S. caregivers, with over 25 million caring for a spouse. - The article reports average caregiver-related financial impacts cited in the 2024 study: forgone income of about $4,500 and additional yearly costs around $8,000, and it mentions the proposed Credit for Caring Act and the need for smoother health data sharing across electronic records. Summary: The personal account illustrates how caregiving can involve persistent emotional, logistical and financial strains for families and care recipients. The author connects her experience to research findings and notes proposed policy responses such as a family tax credit and improved health information transfer. Undetermined at this time.