[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 473 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 473

    Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family 
                           Caregivers Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 18, 2011

 Ms. Richardson (for herself, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Jackson Lee 
of Texas, and Ms. Norton) submitted the following resolution; which was 
        referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family 
                           Caregivers Month.

Whereas there are more than 65 million Americans providing care for chronically 
        ill, disabled, or aged family members or friends with no expectation of 
        compensation;
Whereas according to studies compiled by the National Family Caregivers 
        Association, the value of these services is estimated to be $375 billion 
        every year, nearly double the $158 billion spent in 2009 on homecare and 
        nursing home services combined;
Whereas in California alone there were 3,419,481 family caregivers in 2004, the 
        value of whose time spent in the care of family and friends was over $36 
        billion;
Whereas 1.4 million children ages 8 to 18 provide care for an adult relative, 72 
        percent are caring for a parent or grandparent, and 64 percent live with 
        the person for whom they are caring;
Whereas 20 hours per week is the average number of hours family caregivers spend 
        caring for their loved ones while 13 percent of family caregivers are 
        providing 40 hours of care a week or more;
Whereas 51 percent of care recipients live in their own home, 29 percent live 
        with their family caregiver, and 4 percent live in nursing homes and 
        assisted living facilities;
Whereas 14 percent of family caregivers care for a special needs child with an 
        estimated 16.8 million caring for special needs children under 18 years 
        old;
Whereas 78 percent of adults living in the community and in need of long-term 
        care depend on family and friends as their only source of help;
Whereas 47 percent of working caregivers indicate an increase in caregiving 
        expenses has caused them to use up all or most of their life savings;
Whereas during the 2009 economic downturn, 1 in 5 family caregivers had to move 
        into the same home with their loved ones to cut expenses;
Whereas 73 percent of family caregivers who care for someone over the age of 18 
        either work or have worked while providing care, 66 percent have had to 
        make some adjustments to their work life, from reporting late to work to 
        giving up work entirely, and 1 in 5 family caregivers have had to take a 
        leave of absence;
Whereas the majority of Americans will find themselves playing the role of a 
        family caregiver as the population ages, and likewise expect to be cared 
        for in their old age; and
Whereas the quiet sacrifices made every day by family caregivers can be 
        alleviated through better integration with the American healthcare 
        system and enlightened, long-term public policy that prepares family 
        caregivers for the challenges they will face: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the work of America's family caregivers;
            (2) acknowledges the enormous savings to the American 
        taxpayer resulting from their labors;
            (3) encourages all Americans to pay tribute to those who 
        provide for the health and well-being of their family members, 
        friends, and neighbors; and
            (4) supports the goals and ideals of National Family 
        Caregivers Month.
                                 <all>