Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia face unique challenges. And as dementia symptoms worsen, caregivers can experience increased emotional and physical stress making it more difficult to care for their loved ones.

Here are five important facts about dementia caregiving in New York from the 2023 “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” report:

The number of caregivers is substantial: Today, there are more than 11 million family members and friends serving as dementia caregivers, including 546,000 in New York.

The value of unpaid caregiving is staggering: Last year alone, New Yorkers provided 884,000,000 hours of unpaid dementia care worth more than $19 billion dollars.

Caregiving takes a toll on physical health: Dementia caregivers report higher rates of chronic conditions including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer compared to caregivers of people without dementia or non-caregivers. In New York, 59% of caregivers reported at least one chronic condition and 12% say they are frequently in poor health.

It also impacts mental health: The prevalence of depression is higher among dementia caregivers, when compared to caregivers for other conditions such as schizophrenia or stroke. In New York, nearly a quarter of dementia caregivers reported depression.

There is help: The Alzheimer’s Association offers free help for caregivers. You can learn about resources to help alleviate the sources of stress and get advice on ways to take care of your own mental and physical health by calling 800-272-3900 or visiting alz.org.

Cathy James, executive director of the Central New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says: “We want caregivers to know we are here for them. We offer in-depth care planning services, but we’re also ready if you just need to talk. Our Helpline is available 24/7, every day of the year. And everything is free.”

To learn more about the resources available for caregivers and families or to learn more about the 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, visit alz.org/facts.