We need your help to improve support for family caregivers.

Join us for an insightful discussion on how we can better support caregivers in our community. 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. Forums will be held in Buffalo, Syracuse (April); White Plains, and Queensbury (June). These are FREE events, and space is limited. Please extend this invitation to your partners who work to support caregivers. Caregivers are also welcome!

Experience the Reality of Caregiving –
Join Us in Queensbury!

What is it like to be a family caregiver? Step into their shoes at the Caregiver Simulation in Queensbury on March 28!

This interactive experience is designed for health professionals, social workers, students, case managers, and faith leaders to gain firsthand insight into the daily challenges of caregivers.

Don’t miss this eye-opening experience that will enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of caregiving. Download and share flyer!

Webinar Series: Navigating Multiple Care Systems for Your Loved One

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 topics:
April 2  Laying the Groundwork and Financial Planning 
April 9  Care Management: Private and Non-Profit
April 16  Navigating Healthcare Patient Services
April 23  Hospice and Palliative Care
April 30  Exploring Higher Levels of Care 

Download and share flyer!

Our AmeriCorps Seniors program continues to recruit members and establish respite programs in six designated counties in NYS to help caregivers of older adults and people with disabilities by providing short-term relief.

If you’re 55 or older and would like to help a caregiver in your community, are interested in hosting a respite program at your church, community center, or other such location, you can learn more here!

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

Saturdays Are a Day for Respite in Broome County

According to an article in the Catholic Sun, four Broome County churches now host respite programs for family caregivers. The programs are staffed by volunteers and are offered at a different church every Saturday. Previous grant funding from NYSCRC helped the county Office for the Aging grow these programs. Read more here.

Bipartisan Support for Respite Funding

Since the Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, the District of Columbia and 38 states, including New York, have received grants to increase the availability and quality of respite services for family caregivers. This past week, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act, which would extend this programming for another five years, through fiscal year 2030.

Give Congress 100+ Reasons to Support Family Caregivers

The bipartisan Credit for Caring Act could help offset the cost of caring for a loved one through a federal tax credit of up to $5,000. AARP is putting together a list  to give to Congress: 100+ reasons to prioritize a tax credit. Add your reason to the list.

A Public Health Agency’s Guide to Partnering with Faith-Based Organizations

Introducing a toolkit designed to help public health agencies collaborate with FBOs to support dementia caregivers. Join BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving to explore the toolkit, hear success stories, and gain tips for building and sustaining partnerships with places of worship. Register for this April 2, 2025 webinar.

Study: Family Caregiving Increased by More Than 30% Over an 11-year Period

The number of family caregivers supporting older adults living in home and residential-care settings increased 32%, from 18.2 million to 24.1 million, between 2011 and 2022, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. Learn more

-The Caregiver Simulation, hosted by NYSCRC, SUNY Adirondack Healthcare Pathways, and NYSOFA, will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 9 AM - 12 PM in Queensbury, NY. Learn more and register

-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. NYSCRC Director Doris Green will present Finding the Hallelujahs in Your Caregiving Journey, as part of the series. Learn more here

-Register today for the 2025 National Lifespan Respite Conference, RAISE and Engage – Launch Respite Now. The Conference will be held April 1 - 3, 2025 in Huntsville, AL. Visit the conference website to register and for all of the details!

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

-The New York Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation will be offering a Parkinson’s Symposium focusing on current and upcoming treatments, research, and community resources. The free event will be held in person in Williamsville, NY and via Zoom, both on April 6, 2025. Learn more and register here.

-NYSCRC is offering a Powerful Tools for Caregivers series held on Thursdays from April 10 - May 15, 2025. The six-week, virtual series teaches participants how to take better care of themselves while caring for an adult friend or relative. Learn more and register by visiting our events page

-Caregiver Forums are coming to four locations throughout New York State: Buffalo, Syracuse (April); White Plains, and Queensbury (June). This is your chance to hear about gaps in services for caregivers and to help find solutions to close 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