A recent national survey by Choice Mutual highlights growing concerns across the U.S. about the emotional and financial demands of caring for aging parents—and Virginia ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to caregiver preparedness.
The study, titled “States Where People Are Least Ready to Care for Their Parents”, surveyed over 2,500 adults and ranked all 50 states based on how confident residents felt about stepping into caregiving roles. While states like Arkansas and Michigan topped the list with high preparedness, Virginia’s results reveal that many residents feel overwhelmed or unprepared for the challenges of elder care.
Virginians Struggle with Caregiving Costs and Emotional ReadinessIn Virginia, just under 50% of respondents said they felt emotionally and logistically ready to care for an aging parent. Financial concerns loomed large—nearly two-thirds of Virginians surveyed expressed worry about how they would afford care-related expenses, such as home health aides, medical bills, or time off work.
More than 40% of Virginians believed they might need to reduce work hours or leave their jobs entirely if a parent required full-time support. The stress of caregiving isn’t just financial—respondents also cited emotional strain, lack of guidance, and fear of making wrong decisions on behalf of a parent.
Communication Gaps PersistDespite the looming responsibilities, only about a third of Virginians reported having discussed caregiving plans with their parents. This lack of communication leaves many families unprepared when a health crisis occurs.
The report also found that only 1 in 4 Virginia respondents had researched long-term care options such as assisted living or insurance coverage. This gap in planning may further contribute to the anxiety caregivers experience when facing tough decisions.
Virginia vs. the NationCompared to top-ranked states like Arkansas (66% prepared) and low-ranking Oregon (41%), Virginia’s preparedness level falls in the lower-middle range, signaling room for improvement. Interestingly, the study also found that residents in some Southern states—Virginia included—were more likely to express a strong emotional desire to care for parents personally, even if they weren’t logistically or financially ready.
Women in Virginia, consistent with national trends, were far more likely to expect caregiving duties to fall on them. Millennials and Gen Xers expressed particular concern about balancing work, finances, and caregiving, often referred to as the challenges of the “sandwich generation.”
What Virginians Can DoExperts recommend starting the conversation early. "Planning before a crisis gives families more options and less stress," said Anthony Martin, CEO of Choice Mutual. Virginians are encouraged to discuss care preferences, explore insurance options, and seek out community support resources well in advance.
Explore the full report and see how Virginia compares to other states:
https://choicemutual.com/blog/caring-for-parents-survey/

The Virginia Fairfax Intrinsic Capacity for Older People (VFICOPE) Study is looking for volunteers living in Fairfax County to help us understand how aging affects physical and mental abilities. ICOPE is a framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote healthy aging by preventing, slowing, or reversing declines in physical and mental capacity among older adults. It emphasizes person-centered, community-based care and is designed to support older adults in maintaining their independence and quality of life.
Requirements to Participate:

• 65 years of age or older
• Living independently (no care assistance)
• Living in Fairfax County

What will participation look like?Participants will take part in a one-hour session where we’ll assess different aspects of their health, including mobility, balance, vision, and hearing, as well as gather information on their diet, self-care abilities, and social interactions. We can come to your preferred location for the assessment and have great flexibility in scheduling. There is no follow up after the initial assessment. Participation is voluntarily and participants can withdraw at any stage.
Why participate?We hope that the results from this study are going to provide useful information to the local and regional public health authorities regarding older adult’s intrinsic capacity status (i.e. mental and physical ability) and related risk factors so they can enhance long-term healthcare intervention and prevention planning in Virginia and the rest of the US states. The data collected will help build the first U.S. database on intrinsic capacity, contributing to better aging policies and interventions. Previous studies showed that intrinsic capacity impairment limited self-care, increased dependence, and increased hospitalization visits. However, how intrinsic capacity is connected with other factors like dietary habits and psychosocial well-being (such as loneliness or social engagement) remains unclear not only for the USA but on a global level. So, there is an urgent need to measure intrinsic capacity and its determinants among older adults, through studies like this.
If you are interested in participating or would like further information, please contact:

• Stefanos Tyrovolas, PhD, Associate Professor
  Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, College of Public Health, George Mason University
  [email protected]
• Bri Schuh, Graduate Student 
  Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, College of Public Health, George Mason University
  [email protected]