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Clinton, Snowe, Mikulski, Breaux Unveil Legislation to Provide Relief to Family Caregivers
Washington, DC - At a Capitol Hill news conference with representatives of caregiver and disability organizations, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY), Olympia Snowe (ME), Barbara Mikulski (MD) and John Breaux (LA) today introduced legislation to provide more relief to family caregivers through increased access to respite care services. Under the bipartisan legislation, grants would be available to help increase availability to respite care services and the training of respite care workers and volunteers. Family caregivers help seniors, chronically ill or disabled individuals remain in their home, permitting them to live less restricted, more independent lives. If these services were replaced with paid services, they would cost nearly $200 billion. Respite care provides caregivers a break from daily caregiving responsibilities, for a few hours or a few days, through home visits or at an on-site respite care facility. "For the over 3 million family caregivers in New York, the problem is simple: there are never enough hours in the day. The emotional, physical and financial toll that caregiving exacts is extraordinary. But sadly, current respite care programs are unable to provide relief to all overtaxed caregivers who need a helping hand," Senator Clinton. "The legislation we're introducing today would allow more caregivers to take advantage of respite services that serve as a lifeline for thousands of individuals struggling to keep their heads above water as they do their very best to care for their loved ones." "Whether it' giving care ourselves, or ultimately paying for more expensive care that could be more cost-effectively and -- most critically -- more appropriately delivered by a family caregiver, every American has a stake in caregiving. And our bill will give states both the money and the flexibility to make a real impact on families," said U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (Maine). "But it is crucial that we act today. We need to give loved ones access to the information they need to make an informed decision as to the level and course of care that is appropriate. For many, remaining at home, surrounded by friends and family in familiar surroundings, is the best option. For some, other options will work best. But what is clear is that families need access to the range of choices available to them, so they can make the best decision possible." Mikulski said, "Respite care gets behind our nation's families who are struggling to care for their loved ones by providing support for those who practice self help. This bill makes respite care easier to find and easier to use by funding community-based "one-stop shops" for families looking for help. With better access to respite care, the 30-something mom in Rockville, Maryland can run errands two afternoons a week with peace of mind that her four year-old with cerebral palsy is in good hands. This Sunday is Mother's Day. Three quarters of all caregivers are women. Hallmark cards for mom are nice, but I can't think of a better way to honor the moms of this country than to get this bill enacted into law." "More than 26 million Americans spend days and nights caring for parents, friends and relatives," said Sen. Breaux, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. "But far too often this caregiving takes a heavy toll on the caregivers themselves. Our respite care bill provides needed support for these caregivers - allowing them the continued long-term stability they need to care for their loved ones. And since women bear so much of the caregiving burden, we must support more initiatives like this respite care bill and a comprehesive long-term care system, that recognize the essential role of women as family caregivers." Each year, 1 in 3 adult Americans, over 50 million people, care for a family member or friend who is chronically ill or disabled. An estimated 18 million children have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions that demand caregiver monitoring, management, supervision, and/or treatment beyond that required of children generally. Approximately 75% of caregivers are women who may suffer increased depression, fatigue and poor health. Health care services are directed at seniors, chronically ill or disabled patient with few services addressing caregiver needs. The groups attending the news conference include: Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Easter Seals, National Family Caregiver Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Respite Coalition, United Cerebral Palsy and the Maryland Respite Care Coalition. FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Global Action on Aging distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
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