The contributions of unpaid family caregiving in New York reached $39 billion in value, according to a report released Wednesday by AARP New York. 

The report found the value of caregiving by 2.2 million people who provide support for parents, spouses or other loved ones increased by $8 billion since data was last analyzed in 2019. 

New York is an increasingly older state, making for policy questions facing state officials for people who are aging themselves, but also caring for a loved one who wants to remain in their homes. 

“Family caregivers play a vital role in New York’s health care system, whether they care for someone at home, coordinate home health care, or help care for someone who lives in a nursing home,” said David McNally, the AARP New York Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy. “We want to make sure all family caregivers have the financial, emotional and social support they need because the care they provide is invaluable both to those receiving it and to their community.”

The organization has for the last several years called for state support for caregivers in New York and in the state budget due at the end of the month. 

The group wants $9.5 million for people who qualify for in-home services for older New Yorkers to receive home-delivered meals and assistance with daily activities. The group is also calling for a higher minimum wage for home care workers and $15 million for the nursing home oversight effort known as the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. 

And the group wants $3 million for the access to the home program, which offers financial aid to make residential units accessible for people with disabilities with low and moderate incomes.