Young caregivers ‘exist in the shadows,’ offer crucial help

Melinda Kavanaugh, left, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee social work professor, looks on and coments as Alex Oliver, center, and Charlie Warlick demonstrate how they use a rolling chair as caregivers of ALS family members in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, April 9, 2022. Kavanaugh thinks as many as 10 million children are involved in caregiving in the U.S. and says youth caregiving will grow as the U.S. population ages and chronic health problems like diabetes become more common. She and other researchers say young caregivers provide crucial help to their families, and they need more support. (AP Photo/LM Otero)