[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN SUPPORT OF THE LIFESPAN RESPITE CARE ACT OF 2003

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                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Lifespan Respite 
Care Act of 2003 and in celebration of the Nation's family caregivers 
during National Family Caregivers Month and Alzheimer's Awareness 
month. This week before Thanksgiving, as we anticipate gathering with 
family, friends and loved ones, I am privileged to recognize and honor 
the millions of family caregivers who care for family members with 
disabling or chronic conditions such as those afflicted by Alzheimer's 
disease. There is no doubt in my mind that caregivers--those who devote 
themselves selflessly to caring for loved ones with disease such as 
Alzheimer's--are the true heroes. I know because my dear mother was a 
victim of Alzheimer's and my father was a hero caring for her to the 
day she died.
  Today over 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease. 
Almost half of all Americans over age 85 suffer from this devastating 
debilitation. With the graying of the baby boomer population a sharp 
increase in Alzheimer's disease is expected. Over 70 percent of people 
afflicted with Alzheimer's disease live at home, with 75 percent of 
home bound care provided by family and friends. There are over 25 
million family caregivers in America and by 2020, the number of adults 
requiring assistance with daily living will increase to almost 40 
million, placing a tremendous load on the family caregivers.
  We cannot afford to lose any family caregivers to stress or illness. 
We as a nation cannot afford it because family caregivers provide $250 
billion per year in unpaid care. Yet, the lack of support is taking its 
toll on caregivers. While a large proportion of caregivers report 
finding an inner strength, significant numbers report serious physical 
or mental health problems, including headaches, stomach disorders, back 
pain, sleepless nights and depression. Mortality risks for caregivers 
are 63 percent higher than for noncaregivers.
  In addition to serious health consequences, many families suffer 
emotionally and economically. Families of children with disabilities 
face a significantly higher divorce rate than families of children 
without disabilities. Lack of respite care has even been found to 
interfere with the ability of parents of children with disabilities to 
accept job opportunities.
  Without adequate family support, children with disabilities face a 
nearly 4 times higher risk of abuse and neglect than children without 
disabilities and the abuse rate of the elderly is unacceptably high.
  Respite works. It allows families to remain together and avoid more 
costly out-of-home placements. Hospitalizations, institutionalization, 
nursing home and foster care placements have been shown to actually 
decline when respite or crisis care is the intervention.
  This bill will help create a family caregiving respite policy in our 
country, not just a band-aid solution. Families are under greater 
stress today than ever before and the numbers who will assume 
caregiving roles is rising at an alarming rate. Respite works, respite 
saves money, respite save families. We cannot afford to ignore the 
family caregivers any longer. We must give them respite.

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