Nearly four million New York family caregivers now provide 2.6 billion hours of care annually, equivalent to $58 billion in work each year, according to a new AARP report.
New York ranks fourth in the nation in the number of caregivers (3.9 million), number of hours of care, and economic value provided by caregivers.
Most of this work is unpaid, and it is the backbone of New York’s long-term care system, which is essential to helping millions of older adults live independently in their homes.
Caregiving has become more demanding and complex as chronic illnesses increase and more care moves into the home.
Nationwide, caregivers are spending more time caring for their loved ones, averaging 27 hours each week. More than half, 57%, now provide high-intensity care, helping with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing, and complex medical and nursing tasks such as wound care and giving injections.
“Family caregivers are an important economic force, filling critical gaps in New York’s health care system, providing essential care at home, coordinating services, and supporting loved ones in nursing homes. Without them, many more New York residents would rely on expensive institutional care, leading to significantly higher costs for taxpayers and public programs,” said Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director.
“Still, too many caregivers are stretched thin without the support they need. “New York must do more in our pending state budget to ensure that family caregivers have access to meaningful financial relief, emotional support, and community resources, because the care they provide is indispensable to our families, our health system, and our state.”
AARP New York is advocating for the implementation of Proposition 50 in the New York Master Plan for Aging, which provides $173.5 million for essential services for older residents in the upcoming state budget.
The funding would cover services to improve the lives of the state’s seniors and their family caregivers by providing home and community-based services, investments in sustainable nutritional supports and increased funding for the Long-Term Care Advocates program, who oversee nursing homes.
National findings:
– 59 million people in the United States are adult caregivers, providing care to aging parents, spouses, neighbors and other loved ones, contributing 49.5 billion hours of care annually. If this work were paid in the market, it would be worth $1.01 billion annually, based on a rate of $20.41 per hour.
– The 49.5 billion hours of care provided each year are equivalent to nearly 24 million full-time workers, approximately 17% of the entire U.S. full-time workforce.
– The value of family care exceeds total federal, state and local Medicaid spending nationwide, and nearly doubles all out-of-pocket health care expenditures.
– Across states, the value of care varies from $14.12 per hour in Louisiana to $27.05 per hour in Washington, reflecting regional differences in wages and the cost of care. Read the full report here.
Importantly, AARP also helps families navigate caregiving challenges by connecting them with trusted resources. AARP New York’s resource guide helps family caregivers access key programs, services and agencies in their community.
Additionally, through its partnership with United Way Worldwide, caregivers can access local support services in 28 states by calling 211, including help finding home care, respite care, transportation and other essential services.
For more information, visit www.aarp.org/caregiving.
