[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 28, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 37--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF 
                  SENIOR CAREGIVING AND AFFORDABILITY

  Mr. JOHANNS (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was considered to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                            S. Con. Res. 37

       Whereas 8,000 people in the United States turn 60 years old 
     every day;
       Whereas an estimated 35,900,000 people, 12.4 percent of the 
     population, are 65 years of age and older;
       Whereas the United States population age 65 and older is 
     expected to more than double in the next 50 years to 
     86,700,000 in 2050;
       Whereas the 85 and older population is projected to reach 
     9,600,000 in 2030, and double again to 20,900,000 in 2050;
       Whereas it is estimated that 4,500,000 people in the United 
     States have Alzheimer's disease today;
       Whereas it is estimated that number will increase to 
     between 11,300,000 and 16,000,000 by 2050;
       Whereas 70 percent of people with Alzheimer's disease and 
     other dementias live at home, and these individuals are 
     examples of individuals who need assistance in the home with 
     activities of daily living;
       Whereas more than 25 percent of all seniors need some level 
     of assistance with activities of daily living;
       Whereas so as to address the surging population of seniors 
     who have significant needs for in-home care, the field of 
     senior caregiving will continue to grow;
       Whereas there are an estimated 44,000,000 adults in the 
     United States providing care to adult relatives or friends 
     and an estimated 725,000 nonfamily private paid senior 
     caregivers;
       Whereas both unpaid family caregivers and paid caregivers 
     work together to serve the daily living needs of seniors who 
     live in their own homes;
       Whereas the Department of Labor estimated that paid 
     caregivers for the year 2006 worked a total of 835,000,000 
     hours, and the projected hours of paid senior caregivers are 
     estimated to increase to 4,350,000,000 hours by 2025; and
       Whereas the longer a senior is able to provide for his or 
     her own care, the less burden is placed on public payment 
     systems in Federal and State governments: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes caregiving as a profession;
       (2) supports the private home care industry and the efforts 
     of family caregivers throughout the United States by 
     encouraging individuals to provide care to family, friends, 
     and neighbors;
       (3) encourages alternatives to make caregiving for seniors 
     even more accessible and affordable through reviews of 
     Federal policies that relate to caregiving for seniors;
       (4) supports current Federal programs that address the 
     accessibility and affordability needs of seniors and their 
     family caregivers; and
       (5) encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     to continue working to educate people in the United States on 
     the impact of aging and the importance of knowing the options 
     available to seniors when they need care to meet their 
     personal needs.

  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the importance 
of the senior caregiving community. In the U.S., over 36 million people 
are 65 years of age or older, which is approximately 12 percent of the 
population. That number is expected to double by the year 2025 as the 
baby-boomers fully enter their golden years.
  Thus, while senior caregivers are playing an important role now, this 
profession will be even more important in the future. The people who 
provide care to millions of seniors across this country provide a great 
service not only to these individuals, but also to their families and 
our communities, as a whole.
  It is estimated that 25 percent of all seniors need some level of 
assistance to complete their daily activities. Senior companions 
provide a wide-range of services, such as medication reminders, 
housekeeping, meal preparation, travel assistance, and general 
companionship. These services enable seniors to stay in their own homes 
and stay engaged in their communities--which can make all the 
difference in the world when it comes to their happiness.
  I have talked to seniors who are helped by caregivers and they use 
words like guardian angel and lifesaver to describe them. Senior 
caregiver services are a much preferred alternative for seniors who 
desire to maintain their independence. They also offer families peace 
of mind, knowing their loved one is being taken care of in a safe and 
affordable manner.
  The senior caregiving profession is part of the solution to the 
challenges our country faces as we continue to age. Currently, an 
estimated 44 million adults in this country provide care to adult 
relatives or friends, and an estimated 725,000 non-family, privately-
paid individuals are senior caregivers. The caregiving profession will 
continue to grow in prominence and demand as the senior population 
rises.
  That is why I am happy to introduce a resolution with my colleague, 
Senator Casey, to honor senior caregivers and the private home care 
industry. We salute those who provide such quality care for so many 
Americans. It also encourages individuals to reach out and provide 
these services to their family, friends, and neighbors.
  We need to examine federal policy alternatives to make caregiving for 
seniors more accessible and more affordable for families. If we can 
keep seniors in their homes, instead of nursing facilities, we 
accomplish a number of goals. We preserve the independence and dignity 
of our seniors. That alone is significant. But, it also saves money in 
a health care system facing skyrocketing costs and soon-to-be insolvent 
programs.
  This resolution encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to continue working to educate aging Americans about the assistance 
options available for seniors. Senior caregivers are doing a great 
service to this country and I commend them for it.
  It is an indisputable fact that we will all grow old, thus this issue 
will sooner or later affect every American. Therefore, it is important 
to have access to quality, affordable caregiving services in every 
community. Caregiving is a profession that will continue to grow in 
prominence and need as the senior population rises. Again, I thank the 
senior caregivers for their service to Americans throughout this 
nation, and I am pleased to offer this resolution on their behalf.

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