Family Caregivers in New Hampshire Provide $2.8 Billion in Unpaid Care to Loved Ones

Latest AARP research attaches $2.8 Billion value to the estimated 157 million hours of unpaid care that family caregivers provided in 2021.

The unpaid care provided by the 168,000 caregivers in New Hampshire is valued at $2.8 billion, according to new state data available in AARP’s latest report in the Valuing the Invaluable series at aarp.org/valuing. This is a $500 million increase in unpaid contributions in the Granite State since the last report was released in 2019. The report highlights the growing scope and complexity of family caregiving and highlights actions needed to address the many challenges of caring for parents, spouses, and other loved ones.

“Family caregivers play a vital role in New Hampshire’s health care system, whether they care for someone at home, coordinate home health care, or help care for someone who lives in a nursing home,” said Christina FitzPatrick, AARP New Hampshire State Director. “We want to make sure all family caregivers have the financial, emotional and social support they need, because the care they provide is invaluable both to those receiving it and to their community.”

AARP New Hampshire provides support to family caregivers and the loved ones who depend on them for care. AARP New Hampshire is fighting and will continue to fight for family caregivers and the loved ones they care for.

Right now, AARP New Hampshire is urging the state legislature to expand home care options in the current legislative session with the Systems of Care for Healthy Aging Bill (SB 36) which would:

• Provide more affordable options for in-home care.
• Rebalance our system to serve more individuals in less costly and preferred community alternatives.
• Increase rates paid to caregivers for such services.
• Expedite access to Medicaid funding for services.
• Make applications more user friendly.
• Adjust for inflation reimbursement rates for such service.
• Provide assistance to obtain timely information about finding services.
• Create a system for investigating and resolving complaints.

SB 36 will come to a vote in the Senate the week of March 12, 2023.

Read the full report at www.aarp.org/valuing for national and state-by-state data on the economic value of unpaid care by family and friends.

Resources and information on family caregiving are available at aarp.org/caregiving.