Schakowsky Remarks on National Family Caregivers Month

NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of family caregivers and in recognition of November as National Family Caregivers Month. This month honors those caregivers who serve on the front lines of patient care. Every day, over 65 million family caregivers in this country play a vital role in helping their loved ones with daily activities such as bathing and eating. They help them follow their medical and treatment regimens as well as assist with their daily activities. Family caregivers help seniors to age in their own homes and delay or avoid the need for nursing home placement. Family caregivers also provide care for children and adults who suffer from serious illnesses or disabilities.

Family caregivers often make enormous personal and financial sacrifices to be there for their loved ones. Caregivers juggle the care of their loved ones with caring for their children, taking care of their own health, and managing their responsibilities at work. Some even leave the workforce to provide the level of care needed by their loved ones.

As we recognize and honor the contribution of family caregivers to their loved ones and to our health care delivery system, we also must recognize the need to provide these caregivers with all the supports that they need. Supports including information and training on how to care for their loved ones, respite care that allows family caregivers to take needed breaks from their caregiving responsibilities, adequate workforce protections for those with work and caregiving responsibilities, and adequate financial and retirement security.

I want to applaud all of our family caregivers and urge my colleagues to commit to working to provide needed supports to family caregivers.