November Is National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a chance to recognize the contributions, commitment, and sacrifices made by America’s 63 million family caregivers every single day.

Across New York, 4,039,000 (2025) family caregivers help their older parents, spouses, or other loved ones live independently at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Family caregivers in our state provide over $39 billion (2023) in unpaid care each year. They are the backbone of our long-term care system, spending countless hours driving to doctor’s appointments, picking up prescriptions, cooking meals, managing medications, and much more.

Most family caregivers don’t get paid for helping their loved ones, but they still spend plenty out of their own pockets—and it’s not cheap. On average, caregivers spend over $7,200 per year. Many end up dipping into their savings, taking on debt, or cutting back on essentials such as food and medication. For 20% of New York caregivers, they spend more than 40 hours a week providing care or constant care.

But here’s the thing: while family caregivers do so much for their loved ones, they’re too often overlooked by society and lawmakers as they hold up a broken system. That’s why this month, and every month, AARP New York is shining a spotlight on family caregivers and calling on lawmakers to pass commonsense solutions that will save them money, time, and provide them with more support.

• Full funding for aging services to allow older New Yorkers to age in their homes and communities and support family caregivers
• Oversight for nursing homes and long-term care facilities

We can’t do this work alone. Your voice is needed to show lawmakers that family caregivers are a powerful constituency. Raise your hand and join the fight at https://action.aarp.org/secure/support-family-caregivers-and-their-loved-ones.

AARP New York is proud to stand with our family caregivers, offering free tools and resources to help them navigate their role as a caregiver.

· Caregiving Resource Guides: AARP’s New York Family Caregiver Resource Guide help family caregivers access key programs, services, and agencies right in their community.

· Find more New York events and in person resources here.

· Check out our free Family Caregiving Guides they are available in multiple languages and focus on various communities and are designed to help you navigate no matter where you are in your caregiving journey. The guides include how to: find help assessing needs, assess your loved one’s needs, create and/or update your caregiving plan, including getting help and caring for yourself dealing with grief and plan for life after caregiving.

· 211 Caregiver Support Program: Now available in 25 states and Puerto Rico, including New York, AARP and United Way Worldwide’ s program connects family caregivers to essential services for themselves and their loved ones via the 211 helpline. 

· AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group on Facebook: AARP’s official caregiving Facebook group serves as a place for family caregivers nationwide to connect, share practical tips, offer support, and discuss their shared experiences. 

There are more caregivers than ever in the state, here's our most recent information on who the caregivers of New York are:

Coming soon....

• Celebrate Veterans and Family Caregivers with Events, Resources, and Community Support
• Resources and Support for Individuals Facing Food Insecurity
• New Yorkers: Learn about eligibility for the Medicare Savings Programs
• AARP New York Releases State-Level Data Detailing Caregiving Prevalence in New York
• AARP Resources for Caregivers and their Families

**Many of the resources referenced in this guide are not offered by AARP, and any information you provide to the host organizations will be governed by their privacy policies.


Stay Connected with AARP New York:
Discover more events and opportunities to engage with AARP New York and your community by visiting aarp.org/local.

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