“The establishment of the National Family Caregiver
Support Program acknowledged the power of the Aging
Network and the commitment of our policy leaders, from
the White House to Congress, to enable our nation to
take an important first step towards supporting families
as they care for their much loved members. The Program
recognized that families do not wish to abandon those
who are unable to live without assistance.
Most American families simply want to be able to sustain
their relatives, maintain their own productivity in
workplaces and communities, and ensure their family's
health and well-being so that long life can present
multigenerational opportunities instead of
multigenerational risks.”
Jeanette C. Takamura, former U.S. Assistant Secretary
for Aging |
Ten years ago, the National Family Caregiver
Support Program (NFCSP) was created to help our
nation create systems of support for family members
caring for their loved ones. In the development of
the legislation, then-Assistant Secretary for Aging
Jeanette Takamura heard from caregivers from across
the nation who shared their personal experiences in
caring for their loved ones at home and in the
community for as long as possible.
A decade ago when these conversations were
occurring, families were the major providers of
long-term care in the United States. They still are
today. And over the last ten years, the number of
older individuals and persons with disabilities in
the community has increased. The baby boomers, the
first of whom will turn 65 next year, have added to
this surging demographic. The need for care
continues.
While addressing these long-term care needs remains
a challenge for our country, we do have reason to
celebrate. The NFCSP has made a significant
difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of
caregivers—providing them with information and
assistance, access to services and supports in the
community, individual counseling and training, and
respite to provide temporary and much needed breaks
from caregiving responsibilities.
In 2009, I awarded the first Lifespan Respite Care
Grants, as a result of legislation passed by
Congress which provides temporary respite services
to family caregivers of children or adults of any
age with special needs. Currently, 24 states receive
funding through this program.
Recognition of caregivers has remained a national
priority. President Obama’s FY 2011 Budget Request
to Congress for AoA, which contains one of the
largest budget increase requests for this agency in
over decade, acknowledges the valiant work of family
caregivers.
Of that increase, $102.5 million is for a
caregiver initiative—created by Vice President
Biden’s Task Force on Middle Class Families—to
expand help to families to allow them to better care
for their aging relatives and to support seniors
trying to remain independent in their communities.
If funded, this increase will support services
for nearly 200,000 additional caregivers and provide
3 million more hours of respite care. The Caregiver
Initiative provides additional funding for the
National Family Caregiver Support Program as well as
for community-based services that relieve both the
time and financial stress that caring for an aging
parent or family member can bring while improving
the quality of life for seniors. The initiative will
also double the funding for the Lifespan Respite
Care program.
I’ve had a chance to meet many caregivers over
the last year; some at a Fearless Caregiver
Conference. Meeting with caregivers is always
poignant for me. I find the opportunity both
heartwarming and heart wrenching. The
compassion of caregiving is the heart and soul of
long-term care in this country.
Caregivers are our unsung heroes. Let’s
take time to honor and support them for their
service.
Kathy Greenlee is the U.S. Assistant Secretary
for Aging.
For information on how you can find services for a loved
one in your community, please call AoA’s National
Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit
www.eldercare.gov
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