Our program allows AmeriCorps Seniors to help family caregivers of older adults and people with disabilities by providing short-term relief. They receive training and support and can transition from a stipend to a paid position if they wish. Our AmeriCorps Senior Demonstration Program seeks to recruit, train, and place members in respite roles across six counties in New York State: Tompkins, Cortland, Oneida, Herkimer, Jefferson, and Lewis. Learn more about our program and becoming a respite provider, and see where we’ve established volunteer respite programs.

Be sure to follow our new Facebook page, CNY Respite!

Our Mini Grants at Work
Program in Malone, NY Serves as Haven for Caregivers and (Re) Connections

By Doris Green, NYSCRC Director

A few months back, it was suggested that I visit St. Andre Bessette Roman Catholic Parish located in the small town of Malone in Franklin County. I was told that they have done great work in the community, so I stopped by at the recommendation of a community advocate.

I was greeted by Father Scott Seymour. Father Scott is incredibly proud of the work that St. Andre’s Parish does, and he gave us a tour of a repurposed grammar school that now serves families in this little rural town.

He was beyond excited to be offered an opportunity to apply for funding to start a drop-in respite program, Helpful Haven. He agreed that there was a huge need in the area and believed they could find a way to hold a weekly respite program at their outreach center.

A couple of weeks ago, I made another visit. Read entire article

Helpful Haven Respite Director Joelle Lamica and program guest Barb have some fun together. Joelle had been Barb’s 6th grade student.

Caregiver Simulation Travels to Queensbury, NY

On Friday, March 28, those who attended our Caregiver Simulation on the SUNY Adirondack campus had the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of being an informal caregiver. The outcome is geared toward a new or renewed sense of empathy for the enormous role informal caregivers take on, and the systems designed to support them.

Participants role play as caregiver and care receiver during the Caregiver Simulation in Queensbury. Both parties had to navigate visits to the pharmacy, grocery store, Department of Social Services, and more.

View the entire galllery of photos from the Caregiver Simulation.

Where the Road Map Ends

We rarely give it much thought, but society provides a basic roadmap for our lives to follow. Society designates childhood as the time for formal education as well as the time to explore interests, relationships, etc. Somewhere in our twenties through our mid-sixties, society considers us adults. The activities of adulthood include career, establishing adult relationships, and parenting. Throughout our lives there is a context in which we live, age, and evolve. Upon retirement, empty nest, loss through death or divorce, we are presented with a blank slate and a general indifference not previously experienced. There are no more expectations. You have outlived your usefulness by earlier measures and the subliminal message is that it’s only a matter of time until you become a burden on society. Read entire article

Caring for someone can be challenging and time-consuming. Understanding caregiving and learning to speak up for yourself can simplify the process and enhance the care you provide. This webinar series will guide you through important steps. Held each Wednesday in April, our experts will cover these remaining topics:

April 16  Navigating Healthcare Patient Services
April 23  Hospice and Palliative Care
April 30  Exploring Higher Levels of Care 

NYSCRC Team in the Heart of Dixie

A respite from the cold and snow in New York State, four NYSCRC staff members traveled to Huntsville, AL, earlier this month to learn, present, and network at the 2025 National Lifespan Respite Conference, co-hosted by the Alabama Lifespan Respite Network and The ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center. The theme for the conference, RAISE and Engage – Launch Respite Now, was not only a nod to the incredible history of the space industry in Huntsville, AL, but also a call to action.

NYSCRC Assistand Director Sharon Cackett was a co-presenter at the conference. She and her colleagues focused on providing a comprehensive overview of respite care provider registries, covering their function, purpose, importance, and implementation strategies.

Pictured below from left to right: NYSCRC Assistant Director Sharon Cackett; NYSCRC Director Doris Green; CWRC Outreach Specialist Colleen Salisbury; NYSCRC Respite Voucher Program Coordinator Rebecca Hyde; and NYSOFA Caregiver Support Program Director Deana Prest.

What impact might the restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) announced last week have on HSS agencies and how might it impact older adults? Greg Olsen, NYSOFA Director explains.

We’re happy to partner with the New York State Office for the Aging and the Association on Aging in New York to bring Caregiver Forums to four locations throughout New York State. These are FREE events and space is limited. Please extend this invitation to your partners who work to support caregivers. Caregivers are also welcome!

The Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP) has a new website to help New Yorkers understand their behavioral health insurance rights!

CHAMP provides direct services to help people access mental health and substance use disorder treatment through their health insurance. They help those with Medicare, Medicaid, commercial, or no insurance at all. They can assist with understanding what is covered by insurance, requesting necessary documents from health plans, advocating with plans, and filing appeals or complaints against denials.

As a joint program between the New York State Office for Addiction Services and Supports and the Office of Mental Health, the CHAMP helpline is free and confidential.

Anyone can call 888-614-5400, Monday-Wednesday (9am-7pm) and Thursday-Friday (9am-4pm). Visit their new website to learn more about how CHAMP can help: www.champny.org.

How do Caregivers Feel About What They Do?

AARP Research on caregiving highlights U.S. adults' experiences with and feelings about caregiving, caregiving resources, and legislation that supports caregivers. See the report.

• Managing the Ups and Downs of Being a Caregiver is a five-part, in-person series being held at the Jewish Community Center in Syracuse beginning Sunday, March 30, 2025 and running through Monday, May 5, 2025. On April 10, NYSCRC Director Doris Green will present Finding the Hallelujahs in Your Caregiving Journey. Learn more here.

• Upstate Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan 2025 STOP Scams NY Conference is a first-of-its-kind conference addressing scams targeting our aging population! Variety of experts will share their knowledge and answer your questions about financial exploitation, emerging threats, and effective interventions to mitigate the impact of scams on older adults. Don't miss this opportunity to collaborate, learn, and take action to protect older adults from scams! Tues, May 6; 8:30 am - 3:00 pm; Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Rd. See flyer for more information. Register by April 16, 2025.

• The webinar series Navigating Multiple Care Systems for Your Loved One will be held every Wednesday in April from 12 - 1 PM. Learn more and register by visiting the NYSCRC events page.

• Caregiver Forums are coming to four locations throughout New York State: Buffalo (WAITLIST/April), Syracuse (April); White Plains, and Queensbury (June). This is your chance to hear about gaps in services for caregivers and to help affect policy to address them. Visit the NYSCRC events page to register. Space is limited.

Want to add your organization to the NY Connects Resource Directory? 

Please use this link to request that your organization be added to the Directory. Please note, the entity must provide a service to caregivers, including but not limited to respite care. There are additional inclusion/exclusion criteria—your request will be reviewed by the local NY Connects program for inclusion in the resource directory. To learn more, call: 1-800-342-9871 or visit www.nyconnects.ny.gov

This project was supported, in part by grant number # 90LRLI0043, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201, through the NYS Office for the Aging. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.