Caregivers are in crisis. How bad it is depends on where you live, new data shows.

Nearly 1 in 4 adults are caregivers, up 45% from the number of caregivers in the United States in 2015.

That means there are 63 million adults struggling to care for their sick or disabled loved ones, often leading to financial, physical and emotional strain.

While care advocates, nonprofits and government entities are building out programs to help caregivers, access to care help depends on where you live, according to newly released data jointly published by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving.

"These state-by-state disparities expose how policy choices determine whether families thrive or collapse under caregiving responsibilities," Jason Resendez, the alliance's president and CEO, said in a press release. "When financial strain hits 59% of family caregivers in Georgia compared to just 34% in Minnesota − meaning where you live can double your risk of economic hardship − it's clear that patchwork state solutions aren't enough."

AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving are calling on state and federal lawmakers to address the growing crisis.

Below are key takeaways from the data. More information about each state can be found on AARP's website, including state-specific resources for caregivers.

5 key takeaways from newly released caregiving state data

1. The percentage of adults who are caregivers ranges from 20% in Washington, D.C., to 34% in Mississippi.
2. High-intensity caregivers, or those providing the most demanding care for their loved ones, is lowest in Wisconsin at 32% and highest in Tennessee at 55%.
3. The share of family caregivers providing 40 or more hours of care ranges from 14% in Iowa to 37% in Tennessee.
4. Many caregivers assist their loved ones with at least one daily living task like bathing, dressing, feeding, going to the bathroom and getting in and out of bed. The percentage of caregivers helping with these tasks ranges from 54% in Indiana to 76% in Georgia.
5. Paid family caregiver programs − including Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waivers and Veterans Affairs − can help caregivers, but different states have different rules. Some states don't allow spouses to receive pay for care work. The percentage of family caregivers who are paid for their care work is lowest in Iowa at 10% and highest in New Jersey at 28%.

In general, the report found states with access to paid leave, respite care and health system integration had better outcomes for family caregivers.

Nancy LeaMond, executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer for AARP, said caregivers are "the invisible backbone of our health system and economy."

"Too many are paying the price out of their own pockets," LeaMond said.

Madeline Mitchell's role covering women and the caregiving economy at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Reach Madeline at [email protected] and @maddiemitch_ on X.