What does this research mean for the field?

Middle-aged and older informal caregivers in the U.S. are significantly more likely to utilize telehealth services than non-caregivers, motivated primarily by convenience and the ability to include multiple participants in appointments. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

June 20, 2026Open Access

Telehealth services utilization among middle-aged and older informal caregivers: evidence from national-level data in the United States

AMAsos MahmoodUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center NANikhil AhujaPennsylvania State University CECoree EntwistleUniversity of Memphis

Key Points

This study explores the relationship between informal caregiving status and telehealth service utilization among U.S. adults aged 50 and older.
Data were collected from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS6) with 3,354 participants aged ≥50.
Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between caregiving status and telehealth utilization.
Rao–Scott chi-square tests examined relationships between caregiving and telehealth usage patterns.
20% of participants reported being informal caregivers.
Caregivers had a higher likelihood of using telehealth services compared to non-caregivers (aOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.40).
Convenience and multi-participant visits were significant motivators for caregivers; 98% preferred in-person care despite being offered telehealth.

Abstract

Introduction Telehealth emerged as a vital tool for healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its utilization among middle-aged and older informal caregivers remains insufficiently explored in the U.S. This study examines the relationship between informal caregiving status and telehealth service utilization, including the modes of use, motivators, and barriers experienced during the pandemic in the U.S. Methods Data were derived from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS6), a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of U.S. adults ( n = 3,354, ages ≥50 years). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression assessed the association between caregiving status and telehealth utilization, while Rao–Scott chi-square tests examined bivariate relationships. Results Approximately 20% reported being informal caregivers. Compared to non-caregivers, caregivers were significantly more likely to have received (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.40) telehealth services during the pandemic. Caregivers more frequently cited convenience (66.4% vs. 56.2%; p = 0.036) and the ability to include family or other caregivers in appointments (30.8% vs. 19.0%; p = 0.037) as key motivators for telehealth use. Among those who were offered but who did not use telehealth, caregivers’ preference for in-person care was nearly universal (98.0% vs. 89.7%; p = 0.043), but privacy concerns trended lower (7.9% vs. 17.3%; p = 0.06). Conclusion Informal caregivers exhibited higher rates of telehealth utilization and reported unique motivators and barriers. To enhance caregiver engagement and healthcare access, telehealth programs should optimize access and prioritize convenience, enable multi-participant visits, strengthen telehealth features that support care coordination. The findings may inform targeted telehealth policies and interventions for supporting this essential and vulnerable population.

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