Christina FitzPatrick is the state director of AARP New Hampshire. She lives in Bow.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte has taken an important step toward ensuring strong support for family caregivers. In her 2025-2026 budget proposal, she included important funding to ensure that the 168,000 family caregivers in New Hampshire have essential support and services to help alleviate the emotional, physical and financial burdens of caregiving. Now, the legislature should follow suit.

Family caregivers are the unsung heroes of our communities. They are our children, spouses, siblings and friends who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to ensure their loved ones can live independently in their homes, where they feel most comfortable and secure. These caregivers provide an estimated $2.8 billion in unpaid labor annually, saving taxpayers billions of dollars and keeping their loved ones out of costly nursing homes. They manage medications, prepare meals, assist with bathing, feeding and dressing, care for wounds, provide transportation and handle financial and legal matters. In short, they do whatever needs to be done.

AARP applauds Gov. Ayotte for funding two valuable resources for Granite Staters and family caregivers: the New Hampshire Family Caregiver Support Program and ServiceLink.

The New Hampshire Family Caregiver Support Program offers information and services for people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other related dementias. One notable component of this program is respite care services which ensure that the caregiver can take a break to maintain their own health and well-being while ensuring that their loved one still receives the care they need.

ServiceLink serves as a single point of entry into the long-term supports and services system for older adults and people with disabilities of all income levels, helping people maintain their highest level of independence and obtain the services they need. By calling a toll-free number, people can receive information about services in the community as well as counseling and decision support concerning appropriate long-term care.

The reality of caregiving is often challenging and exhausting. On average, family caregivers in New Hampshire spend 18 hours each week providing care, and many spend up to $7,000 annually out of their own pockets. The emotional and physical toll of caregiving can lead to burnout and exhaustion, making it difficult for caregivers to continue their vital work. This is why the funding for the New Hampshire Family Caregiver Support Program and ServiceLink is so crucial.

Supporting family caregivers is not just a matter of compassion; it is also an economic imperative. About one in six Granite State workers is a family caregiver. Without adequate support, these caregivers face significant challenges in maintaining their full-time participation in the workforce. Many report needing to stop working for a period of time, and some even change employers to better accommodate their caregiving responsibilities. By providing the necessary support, we can help caregivers remain in the workforce, thereby addressing New Hampshire’s workforce challenges and contributing to the state’s economic stability.

Our work isn’t finished yet.

Next, the House and Senate Finance Committees will create their own versions of the state budget. AARP New Hampshire will continue advocating in support of funding for these programs to the House and Senate Finance Committees as they craft their budgets. By investing in the New Hampshire Family Caregiver Support Program and ServiceLink, we can ensure caregivers have the support they need. Together, we can create a community where older adults can live independently and with dignity and where caregivers are recognized, supported and valued for their contributions.