AARP will host the Men Who Care Conference on Saturday, June 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, located at 3816 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004. This in-person event will provide a supportive space for men to explore their roles as caregivers and community leaders while focusing on mental health, grief, and resilience.

As the number of unpaid family caregivers continues to rise, the conference comes at a crucial time. More than 3.1 million people in Texas are currently caring for an aging family member or loved one. Nationally, 53 million Americans take on this role, often at a significant personal cost—spending an average of $7,200 out-of-pocket annually to provide care, according to AARP.

“Absolutely,” said Tina Tran, State Director of AARP Texas, when asked whether this is a crisis. “Nearly 20% of people leave the workforce to care for their family members.”

Tran notes that the problem is expected to worsen as the population ages. By 2030, the strain on unpaid caregivers—financially, emotionally, and physically—will likely increase dramatically. That’s why AARP Texas is advocating for the Credit for Caring Act, a federal proposal that would provide a $5,000 tax credit to help offset the financial burden carried by family caregivers.

The Men Who Care Conference will address many of these challenges head-on, with a focus on mental health awareness, grief processing, and burnout prevention, while also emphasizing the importance of community-building among male caregivers—an often underserved and underrecognized group.

Conference Schedule

· 8:00 a.m. CT – Registration and Brotherhood Breakfast

· 8:30 a.m. CT – Summit Mission, Purpose, and Our AARP Values

· 8:40 a.m. CT – Welcome Remarks and the Importance of Volunteering

· 9:45 a.m. CT – First Break

· 10:00 a.m. CT – Six Pillars of Brain Health

· 10:45 a.m. CT – Second Break

· 11:00 a.m. CT – Care Partners

· 11:45 a.m. CT – Lunch and Keynote Speaker

· 1:00 p.m. CT – Tech23

With a mix of expert-led workshops and peer engagement, the event aims to empower men with practical tools for caregiving while fostering emotional resilience and connection.

The conference is open to the public, and advance registration is encouraged.

To learn more, visit: https://local.aarp.org/houston-tx/aarp-events/