There are an estimated 4.1 million caregivers in New York State. Yet more than half don’t even self-identify as caregivers. If you routinely provide help to a friend or family member, then you are a caregiver. This can include many activities: household tasks, transportation help, assisting with medical or self-care needs, and more. If you are a business, you can also provide help to working caregivers who face unique stresses. Some resources are below. Please also see our caregiver resource page for additional help. 

What You Can Do — At a Glance

To participate in the working caregivers’ initiative, please use and share:   

• The Caregivers In the Workplace Guide with partner agencies, public and private employers.  
• The working caregivers survey with colleagues, friends, family and employees.
• The ARCHANGELS’ platform, which helps caregivers identify with and feel honored in their role, gives them an Intensity Score through the Caregiver Intensity Index, and navigates them to free resources for their unique needs. Finding out your score and the best free resources for you is available as part of Any Care Counts-NY, sponsored in part by the State Office for the Aging in partnership with ARCHANGELS.
• The Evidence-Based Caregiver Education and Training Portal, which is available free of charge for any caregiver in New York.
• The NY Connects Statewide Resource Directory to help individuals search for local services by zip code or service. 

• 61% of caregivers worry about caring for a family member, friend, or neighbor.
• 55% individuals in this role don’t self-identify as caregivers.
• 50% of caregivers use food to cope and reduce stress.
• 33% of caregivers use substances to cope versus 6% of the general population.
• 31% of caregivers have contemplated suicide versus just 3% of the general population.

• The costs of caregiving to business and industry exceed $50 billion annually.
• In the U.S. today, one in six employees is a caregiver for a relative or friend and spends, on average, more than 20 hours a week providing some kind of care.
• 75% of people trust their employer and are more likely to follow their employer’s lead when it comes to balancing their work and caregiving duties.
• 70% of working caregivers suffer work-related difficulties due to their dual roles.
• 49% of working caregivers report arriving to work late, leaving early or taking time off.
• 69% of caregivers report having to rearrange their work schedule, decrease their hours, or take unpaid leave in order to meet responsibilities.