Leander teen advocates for more awareness about young caregivers
AUSTIN (KXAN) — 16-year-old Madeline Grace Asbell is on a mission to make sure young caregivers in Texas have the resources and support they need.
When her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the teen said she saw the importance of caregiving firsthand and began to learn how many people her age take on these responsibilities.
“These young caregivers are having to balance school, extracurriculars, as well as their own well-being,” she said.
According to the American Association of Caregiving Youth, more than 5.4 million people under the age of 18 provide significant assistance or care to a family member with a chronic illness, disability, mental health condition, or frailty due to aging. Research shows that 20% of students who drop out of high school do so to care for a family member.
In May 2024, Asbell stood in front of the Austin City Council and city manager to tell another young person’s story. She described how a young man named James faced the difficult decision to drop out of school in order to provide essential care for his mother, who faced a life-threatening illness.
“James’ situation is not unique,” Asbell told the council. She went on to ask the city to launch a study into how many youth are impacted in our area by decisions like his.
The council ultimately passed a resolution, leading to a partnership between The University of Texas at Austin and Austin Public Health to better understand and support caregiving youth in Central Texas.
Asbell’s advocacy continued, helping result in a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott declaring February 14, 2025 “Caregiving Youth Awareness Day.”
Asbell and other young advocates planned to join healthcare professionals and policymakers to mark the day by gathering in Leander to bring attention to the thousands of young caregivers balancing school and family responsibilities.
“These kids often go unrecognized, so my goal for tonight is to continue my efforts to bring awareness to their struggles,” she said.
