Press Releases
Respite for Caregivers Bill Before Congress
June 28, 2006 – Morristown, NJ – The Caregivers Coalition of Morris County, a United Way organization, is supporting the Lifespan Respite Care Act, a bill introduced in Congress (HR 3248, S 1283) that would authorize competitive grants to states to make quality respites available and accessible to family caregivers regardless of age or disability.
Below is the opening statement by New Jersey Congressman Mike Ferguson (7th Congressional District) at an Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing last week, voicing his support of the Lifespan Respite Care Bill.
- "Thank you, Chairman Deal for holding this vitally important hearing – and for keeping the focus on what we can do to solve the Long-Term Care crisis in our country.
- The words "Long-Term Care" first bring to mind nursing homes or chronic care facilities, costly hospital stays and arduous medical treatment. But the conversation about Long-Term Care doesn’t begin until we mention the nation's family caregivers. They are the "first-responders" in taking care of our elderly and our disabled of all ages.
- This is because most of our elderly or chronically ill family members are being cared for at home. Some estimates say family caregivers provide 80% of all long-term care in the US.
- If a monetary value were placed on this care, family caregivers are providing support and direct services to their family members valued at $306 billion annually – more than twice what is spent nationwide on nursing home and paid home care combined and an amount comparable to Medicare spending in 2004.
- In my home state of New Jersey alone, there are nearly one million caregivers who provide care valued at almost $8 billion annually.
- If we don't recognize this fact and consider the needs of family caregivers, their ability to continue to provide this level of support may well be jeopardized if as a nation we don't rally on their behalf.
- While most families take great joy in helping their family members to live at home, it has been well documented that family caregivers suffer from physical and emotional problems directly related to their caregiving responsibilities.
- Three fifths of family caregivers recently surveyed reported fair or poor health and caregivers are 46% more likely than non-caregivers to report frequent mental distress.
- Among some elderly caregivers, the mortality rate has even been reported to be 60% higher than in noncaregiving populations.
- The simple things we take for granted, like getting enough rest or going shopping, become rare and precious events. Family caregivers often miss their own doctor's appointments or fail to deal with other family crises because of their overriding commitment to caregiving.
- Today – as part of the discussion on Long-Term Care – I want to discuss Respite Care with our panelists.
- Respite Care is a modest, low cost service that simply provides a temporary break from the enormity of constant caregiving, but the benefits reaped are enormous.
- Respite Care, the most frequently requested family support service, has been shown to provide family caregivers with the relief necessary to maintain their own health, bolster family stability, keep marriages intact, and avoid or delay more costly nursing home or foster care placements.
- I have introduced legislation called the Lifespan Respite Care Act to help set up a network of Respite Care services to help caregivers – and families – receive the help they need.
- Mr. Chairman, thank you again for holding this important hearing today – and for continuing to work hard on behalf of caregivers and families."
About United Way of Morris County
United Way of Morris County is dedicated to helping people and improving the quality of life for all residents. We address issues most critical to the future of Morris County by bringing attention, expertise, and resources to them. For more information, visit us on the web at www.uwmorris.org, or call 973.993.1160.
Contact
Jean Funk
Marketing Communications
United Way of Morris County
973.993.1160, x114
Email |
