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(Virginia News Connection) One in four people over age 50 is taking care of at least one person with a health issue or disability, according to a new poll.

In Virginia, just under a million caregivers are providing more than $14 billion in unpaid economic value.

Jared Calfee, state advocacy director for AARP Virginia, said these numbers are growing as people are living longer and nursing homes are struggling with understaffing.

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"I don't know how much capacity there is to add additional burden onto these folks plates," said Calfee. "And that's the direction we're heading in. And so both at the state and the federal level, we are going to have to start to figure out ways to do more for these folks."

He said the average caregiver pays more than $7,000 a year out of pocket. Many older caregivers are adding that on top of other jobs or kids.

State and federal lawmakers have proposed bills to help find solutions. Those include tax credits for caregivers, reducing red tape around Medicare and Social Security, and lowering healthcare expenses.

Public opinion on who should cover the cost of caring for older people is mixed.

Forty-five percent of those over 50 think it should be the government; 27 percent said it should be the person receiving the care, and 18 percent said family or friends.

Calfee said no matter what, caregiving should be a top-of-mind issue.

"Think about the people in your family that you may someday have to care for," said Calfee. "Think about the people in your family that may someday have to care for you as you age. And understand that these issues are so important and impact so many people, and very few of us are not going to be impacted by them at some point."

The U.S. Census Bureau says in a couple of decades, older Americans will outnumber children for the first time in history.