AARP: Paid Family Leave Will Provide Critical Support to NY’s Family Caregivers

ALBANY, New York – Statement by AARP NYS Director Beth Finkel on the paid family leave provision in the 2016-17 State Budget:

“This strongest-in-the-nation paid family leave program announced by the Governor and legislative leaders will undoubtedly provide critical support to New York’s family caregivers, allowing them to take care of our aging parents, spouses and other family members without worrying about losing their job or all their income.

“AARP applauds Governor Cuomo and the Legislature for their bold leadership on this issue. Family caregivers help New Yorkers age at home - where the vast majority want to be - rather than in much costlier, taxpayer-funded institutional care settings such as nursing homes.

“AARP research shows that as the huge Baby Boomer generation starts reaching retirement and our society ages, more New Yorkers will need care from a  shrinking pool of potential family caregivers. Already, New York’s nearly 2.6 million caregivers provide unpaid care valued at  $31.3 billion a year in New York. They are an invaluable and cost-effective resource we should support, and paid family leave will help do that.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org

 

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