[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 149 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE ROSALYNN CARTER INSTITUTE FOR CAREGIVING

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the 
outstanding humanitarian efforts and health care advocacy initiatives 
of one of my home-state's most prestigious organizations, the Rosalynn 
Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State 
University in Americus, Georgia. It is appropriate and entirely fitting 
that this premier institute proudly bears the name of one of my most 
universally beloved constituents and one of America's most dedicated 
advocates for the underserved--former First Lady of the United States 
of America, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter.
  RCI was established in 1987 and was formed in honor of former First 
Lady Rosalynn Carter to recognize her long-standing commitments to 
human development and efforts to push for parity in the delivery of 
long-term care health services. One of the institute's primary missions 
is to establish local, state and national networks that collaboratively 
work to build more effective long-term care systems and provide 
enhanced support services for the millions of caregivers who selflessly 
tend to the needs of our nation's dependent loved ones.
  Due to emerging changes in our nation's demographics and a rapidly 
aging baby boomer population, the current services provided by the 
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving have never been more warranted 
than right now. As cited by the RCI, over fifty million family 
caregivers provide the largest proportion of care for dependent elderly 
individuals as well as adults and children with disabilities. 
Approximately six million adults over the age of 65 need daily 
assistance to live outside a nursing home. This alarming figure will 
grow to more than twelve million by 2030.
  It is also worth noting that U.S. life expectancy has been generally 
increasing since at least the 1940s. Earlier this year, the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention noted that life expectancy in the United 
States has hit another all-time high, rising above 78 years.
  With longer life expectancy, come higher rates of chronic illness, 
disability and the need for more sustainable long-term care services. 
The average senior today will spend two or more of their final years 
disabled enough to need someone to help them with routine activities of 
daily living because of chronic illness.
  To help meet the growing needs of our nation's caregiver communities 
and their disabled loved ones, RCI helped to develop an innovative, 
online information exchange medium within the Georgia CARE-NET 
coalition program that allows agencies and caregivers to obtain 
information about effective caregiving interventions. The online 
resource helps family caregivers determine which long-term health 
programs will best meet the specific needs of those in their care.
  RCI is also working in tandem with other organizations to secure full 
funding to establish a Family Caregiver Education and Training Network. 
This network will provide access to training in evidence-based 
strategies for family caregivers.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the 
exceptional efforts of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the RCI and 
its partner organizations for all they have done and will continue to 
do to address the paramount and expanding needs of America's 
caregivers. Their noble deeds and remarkable achievements have improved 
the quality of life for many of our nation's disabled seniors and 
chronically ill citizens. I and many others will remain eternally 
grateful to them for their many noteworthy endeavors and selfless acts 
of grace.

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