[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 38 (Monday, March 10, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE LIFESPAN RESPITE CARE ACT OF 2003

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to join colleagues 
Senator Clinton, Warner, Snowe, Mikulski, Jeffords, Murray, Breaux, 
Collins and Smith in introducing the Lifespan respite Care Act. The act 
will authorize grants to promote a coordinated system of accessible 
respite care services for 26 million Americans who care for a family 
member or friend who is chronically ill or disabled.
  Caregivers today work tirelessly to support their loved ones and help 
them to maintain their quality of life as effectively as possible. 
Without this important care, many seniors and people with disabilities 
would be forced to live in institutions, reducing their quality-of-life 
and resulting in more costly care.
  Services provided by family caregivers are estimated to be worth 
nearly $200 billion annually. Even if we tried to replace these family 
caregivers with paid workers, we would face workforce shortages, a 
serious problem that will only worsen as the baby boom generation 
reaches retirement age.
  By 2010, more than 780,000 additional caregivers must be found to 
fill long-term staff positions, an increase of 39 percent over the year 
2000. We now rely, and we will have to continue to rely, on unpaid 
caregivers in order to meet the growing need and enable those who 
receive the care to continue to live in the least restrictive 
environment possible.
  Many family caregivers are themselves suffering from the stress and 
physical strain of their work. Often, they live the caregiver life, 
which is frequently called the 36-hour day. They deserve more support 
in order to do their essential work. Sometimes, the relief they need 
may be a ``timeout'' for just an hour or two a week to do the grocery 
shopping or have time to go to the doctor. Other family caregivers may 
need far more relief. Our bill will provide essential respite care 
services and ensure that respite care providers are trained 
appropriately, so caregivers will feel at ease when they leave their 
loved one with respite providers.
  I urge the Senate to support this important legislation that will 
provide long needed support for the elderly and disabled and that will 
mean so much to the family caregivers of our Nation.

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