AARP New York Releases State-Level Data Detailing Caregiving Prevalence in New York

Asian senior man walking with walker and his son assist him walking in backyard until he could walk on his own without a walker.

New Data Show 26% Of Adults In New York Provide Care, Spotlighting Urgent Need for Action to Support Family Caregivers

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New York, NY - New AARP caregiving data released today, Caregiving in the U.S. 2025: Caring Across States, finds that 26% of adults in New York — over 4 million people — are family caregivers, providing largely unpaid and unsupported care to older parents, spouses, and other loved ones. The New York data can be found here.

“When a loved one needs help, family members, friends, and neighbors step up, that’s what we do,” said Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director. “But too often, caregivers carry this responsibility alone, often putting their finances, health and jobs at risk. As our state population ages, the demand for care will only grow. With the release of this new data and ahead of the 2026 legislative session, AARP New York is urging policymakers at every level to act now to help family caregivers save money, time and get the support they need.”

Family caregivers provide $39 billion in unpaid care each year in New York, helping family members live independently at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Their caregiving responsibilities range from bathing and meal prep to managing medications, arranging transportation and handling medical tasks, with little or no training.

But the toll on our family caregivers is great— financially, physically, and emotionally.

• 80% of caregivers pay out of their own pockets to help meet their loved ones’ needs, averaging $7,200 each year, or 25% of their income.
• In New York, 36% of family caregivers report financial setbacks— taking on debt, draining savings, or struggling to afford basics like food and medicine.
• One in four family caregivers (26%) have difficulty getting local affordable services such as delivered meals, transportation, or in-home health services.
• Nearly three in ten caregivers (28%) are sandwich generation caregivers who care for an adult while also caring for a child under 18.
• Caregivers are also juggling full- or part-time jobs. Many must reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely due to caregiving responsibilities, jeopardizing their own long-term financial security.

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AARP New York advocates for practical solutions to help caregivers save money and time, and it supports increased funding for home and community-based services at both state and local levels.