United Way of Morris County Events
Past Events

Caregivers Honored by United Way and Coalition
Governor Richard Codey, featured speaker makes impassioned plea for businesses to offer leave for caregiving

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Caregivers, and the valuable care they provide loved ones of all ages, were honored on November 14, 2007 at a special celebration luncheon at the Hyatt Morristown Headquarters Plaza.  Over 180 caregivers, those they care for, and representatives from government, corporations, faith-based groups, and the community-at-large attended the celebration.  The room was filled with present, past and future caregivers!

The room fell silent as Governor Richard Codey told the story of his youth, of growing up with 4 siblings in an apartment above his family's funeral home in East Orange.  Grandma and grandpa and dozens of cousins lived nearby. "This was a different world, with different challenges, but we were all together," he noted.  

On a day designed to honor caregivers, Gov. Codey reaffirmed the significant role of caregivers in our families and in our communities.  He identified the role as even more important in today's world, with people living longer, more women working outside of the home, and perhaps most significantly, with families living separately; adult children and their parents often living miles apart.  Families are smaller, with fewer siblings to share the caretaking responsibilities.  "Each generation is helped by the next generation; it is now our turn to help loved ones in ‘the greatest generation" as they age, he said.

There are over 50,000 caregivers in Morris County caring for a parent, a spouse, a child, a sibling, or a friend, who is aging, living with a disability, a chronic illness, or mental illness.  While juggling the stress, worry, and time commitment of providing care, caregivers often ignore their own health, and are sometimes referred to as the "second patient."

Gov. Codey spoke about the tough choices caregivers face today and how the community can help. "When loved ones get sick or struggle with a mental illness, family members need to be able to step away from their normal routines to help."  Codey is an advocate for change in the business community, noting that employers who realize the importance of giving time off for vital caregiving responsibilities create dedicated employees who feel appreciated.

Eric Joice, Caregivers of New Jersey, spoke about statewide efforts to increase support for those who provide care.  He referred to the Morris County Caregivers Coalition as a "model for local action" in its consideration of caregivers.  Nationwide, 30,000 youngsters under 17 are primary caregivers for family members of all ages; they have given their youth to caregiving.  As the population ages, Joice noted that caregiving needs will increase. 

Coalition members Lori Rubin and Sue Anderson unveiled new resources for Morris County caregivers, including: a website with caregiving guidance and resources; a series of free hour-long workshops on a variety of caregiving topics; annual caregiving conferences open to the public; the Caregiver Support Project in partnership with the Morris County Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans designed to help caregivers access the services they need for their loved ones and themselves; a new Care Partner mentoring program; and a Pathways for Caregivers guide which outlines ways to access services for a loved one with issues of aging, disability, or mental illness.  The guide was printed by Atlantic Health, and is available for caregivers through United Way of Morris County at no cost.

Barbara Flint, Chair of the Coalition Steering Committee, welcomed the crowd, and Theresa Davis, Morris County Office on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans read an Official Proclamation from the Morris County Freeholders, declaring November as Family Caregiving Month in Morris County. 

The program concluded when Bill Cramer, Caregivers Advisory Panel Coordinator, and Lori Rubin, Coalition Coordinator, asked each caregiver to stand for recognition...which turned out to be nearly everyone in the room!  Each caregiver received a pink carnation in honor of their vital work.  All agreed that if not now, almost everyone will be a caregiver for someone of significance in their life, work or community.

The Caregivers Coalition, an initiative of United Way of Morris County, hosted the event to raise awareness of the issues caregivers face.  The event was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson's Strength for Caring Caregivers Initiative, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and the National Alliance for Caregiving.

Click here for information about new caregiving resources, and the Caregivers Coalition, or by email Lori Rubin, or phone 973.993.1160, x139.

About the Caregivers Coalition
Caregivers are found in every community, caring for loved ones of all ages.  In Morris County alone, over 50,000 caregivers care for a parent, a spouse, a child, or a sibling, who is aging, living with a disability, a chronic condition, or mental illness.  The Caregivers Coalition, an initiative of United Way of Morris County, was established to promote knowledge of, sensitivity to and action around caregiving issues.  The Coalition works on many fronts to strengthen services, resources, and access to information for caregivers.