As traditional family structures change, more older adults are aging without spouses or children nearby, leading to a growing need for caregivers beyond immediate family. This shift is driven by factors like increased life expectancy, higher rates of divorce, and more people choosing to remain childless. As a result, friends and neighbors are increasingly taking on caregiving roles, according to Deborah Carr, a sociologist at Boston University. Geographic distance and family conflicts further contribute to this trend, making it more common for older adults to rely on non-relatives for support. A study published in JAMA Network Open by researchers at the University of Michigan explored the role of friends and neighbors in caregiving. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, which included over 2,600 older adults with health limitations, the study found that while family members were the most common caregivers, around 14% of participants had friends or neighbors as caregivers. This equates to an estimated 2.4 million caregiving friends nationwide, highlighting the significant role non-relatives play in elder care. According to a national survey by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 11% of caregivers provide support to nonrelatives. Karen Fingerman, a gerontologist at the University of Texas at Austin, noted that friends are often overlooked as caregivers despite the time and effort they invest. Unlike family caregivers, friends are less likely to live with the person they are helping and rarely serve as the sole caregiver. They also provide fewer hours of care, averaging about 18 hours per month, compared to around 67 hours from family members. Caregiving friends often assist with practical tasks such as transportation, shopping, preparing meals, and helping with medical appointments. However, personal care tasks like bathing or dressing are typically handled by family members. Yee To Ng, a gerontologist and lead author of the study, explained that these tasks can be uncomfortable for friends to perform, as they may feel intrusive or impact the person's self-esteem. The study also found that caregiving friends are more likely to be younger and have higher levels of education, which often correlates with larger social networks. Those receiving help from friends are more likely to live alone and be unmarried. However, these caregiving relationships can be less stable, as friends may move away or feel strained by the demands of caregiving.