Caregiver Support
When you can't keep doing this alone
Caregivers in crisis make worse decisions. That's brain science, not weakness. Here's how to get a human on the phone today.
Call someone today
- Parent to Parent of NYS — 800-305-8817. Free parent match, statewide.
- 988 Lifeline — call or text 988. Not just for suicide. Emotional crisis counts.
- NYS Caregiver Support — 844-697-9263.
Emergency respite this week
Use the word "crisis" when you call. It triggers different pathways than "I need help."
Open the emergency respite pathway →If you're at a breaking point
Sibling planning
If you have other adult children, they'll likely take this on someday. Write a Letter of Intent now while you're still the expert on your loved one. Talk to a special needs attorney about who controls what.
Aging parent planning
OPWDD prioritizes families where the caregiver is over 60. Say it out loud at every meeting. It changes the calculus.
Crisis safety plan
Write down (1) who you'll call if you can't continue safely, (2) where the documents are, (3) the medication list, (4) who your loved one trusts. Share with one other adult.