November Is National Family Caregivers Month

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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.

Here in New York, more than 4 million caregivers help older parents, spouses, and loved ones live independently at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Family caregivers provide over $39 billion in unpaid care each year, forming the backbone of our long-term care system. Their days are filled with tasks like driving to doctor’s appointments, picking up prescriptions, cooking meals, managing medications, and much more.

Most family caregivers don’t receive payment for helping their loved ones, yet they spend an average of $7,200 out of pocket each year. Many dip into their savings, take on debt, or cut back on essentials such as food and medication. One in five caregivers in New York spends over 40 hours each week caring for a loved one, often around the clock.

Family caregivers do so much for the people they love—and a little support can go a long way. AARP New York invites caregivers to enter for a chance to win a $200 Visa® gift card, with five winners selected at random. It’s one small way to acknowledge the dedication, time, and heart that caregivers give every day.

As part of your entry, we encourage you to share a story about your caregiving experience or a tip you’ve learned along the way. Your insight may help another caregiver feel a little more supported and a little less alone.

The sweepstakes runs from 12:00 a.m. ET on November 28 through 11:59 p.m. ET on December 14, 2025.

Enter the sweepstakes:
https://forms.office.com/r/9b6sv0ah38?origin=lprLink

For full eligibility details and official rules, please click here:
https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/89/bc/a02db1b04ddf8a711785cb4497c1/final-aarp-ny-caregiving-sweepstakes-2025.pdf

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

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

• • Caregiver Support
  • Finances
  • Legal
  • Health
  • Housing and Care Facilities
  • Information and Services
  • End of Life

To order a print copy of this online guide, call the toll-free AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885 and indicate which state(s) you would like to receive. A copy will be mailed to you.

AARP Family Caregiving Guides
Check out our free Family Caregiving Guides, which 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. Call AARP at 877-333-5885 and select option 1 to request a print copy. Click here to download the English version.

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. 

AARP Family Caregiving Site
AARP is here to help with information and resources on caregiver life balance, financial and legal issues, care at home, health and more.

Quick Tips for Caregivers
Check out how to use simple household items to solve everyday challenges

AARP HomeFit Guide
A free resource designed to help people make their homes safer, more comfortable, and suitable for aging in place. It provides smart, practical tips and solutions—ranging from simple DIY fixes to more advanced modifications. Click here to: download a copy of the AARP HomeFit Guide

The guide is available in the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

Community Resource Finder: Easily access a comprehensive listing of dementia and aging-related resources such as care providers, programs and services available in a specified area.

To find virtual and local events for caregivers, click here to learn more.

Although family caregivers provide immense support for their loved ones, they are frequently overlooked by society and lawmakers while sustaining 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.

Among the priorities AARP New York is championing:

• 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 action.aarp.org/secure/support-family-caregivers-and-their-loved-ones.

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

To learn more, visit: AARP New York Releases State-Level Data Detailing Caregiving Prevalence in New York

In honor of Family Caregivers Month, AARP New York invited legislators to share their personal caregiving stories and highlight the importance of supporting caregivers.

New York’s 4 million family caregivers provide an estimated 2.1 billion hours of care each year for older parents, spouses, and loved ones.

Watch messages from Speaker Carl Heastie, Sen. Rob Rolison (39th District), and Sen. Jake Ashby (43rd District) as they reflect on their experiences and the critical role of caregiving in our communities.

• 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
• Celebrate Veterans and Family Caregivers with Events, Resources, and Community Support
• AARP Family Caregiving Publications Order Form

**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.


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