Image Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Elder Care Challenges Facing American Muslim Families
On July 21, 2026, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) published a new report that reveals many American Muslim families are carrying the dual responsibility of caring for aging parents while raising children, a reality often referred to as the "sandwich generation”.
According to the American Muslim Poll 2025, one in four American Muslims serves as a caregiver for an older adult, a rate significantly higher than the US general population (16%). Additionally, 36% of American Muslims have children in K-12 schools, making them more likely than other religious groups to balance the demands of childcare and elder care simultaneously.
The likelihood of caring for an older adult is shared equally across genders, with Muslim men (29%) as likely as Muslim women (20%) to do so. However, the differences are more pronounced across racial and ethnic lines. Forty percent of white Muslims report that they are responsible for caring for an older adult, which is more likely than 19% of Black Muslims and 10% of Arab Muslims. Twenty-eight percent of Asian Muslims report caring for an older adult, which is more likely than that of Arab Muslims and on par with Black Muslims. More information about the racial and ethnic composition of Muslims in the United States is available in American Muslim Poll 2025: Enduring Challenges, Evolving Electorate and Who Are White Muslims?
The report highlights the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges faced by these families, many of whom juggle full-time employment while coordinating care for elderly loved ones. The report calls for greater awareness, community support, and targeted resources to help Muslim families meet the growing demands of caring for aging parents while fulfilling their other family and professional responsibilities.
As the American Muslim population continues to age, this report provides an important evidence base for planning policies and investments that support both older adults and the family members who care for them.
Dr Dalia writes in her conclusion and Recommendations at the end of this report:
In normative Islamic beliefs, caring for an older adult is praised and strongly encouraged . However, it must also be understood as an emotionally, financially, physically, and socially taxing duty requiring communal support.
As American Muslim families become smaller and extended family networks are less available, the report also highlights the growing need for Muslim-friendly retirement communities, where older adults can maintain independence well into their senior years while enjoying culturally relevant intellectual, spiritual, and social engagement, is sorely needed as the Muslim population in the US continues to age. You can read the entire report here . - Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
