Clinton, Lowey, Advocates and Family Caregivers Call for Action to Relieve Unmet Need for Respite Care Services

Press Release

Clinton, Lowey, Advocates and Family Caregivers Call for Action to Relieve Unmet Need for Respite Care Services

Urge Funding for Clinton Legislation to Expand Access to Respite Care Services

With a growing unmet need for respite care services in Westchester County and in communities across New York and around the country, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called for action to ensure that family caregivers receive adequate support and services. Joined at Jawonio Westchester by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), respite care advocates and family caregivers, Senator Clinton called for funding of the Lifespan Respite Care Act, a law she authored that provides competitive grants for states and local bodies to increase the availability of respite care services for family caregivers of individuals with special needs regardless of age. Senator Clinton emphasized that funding will help meet the need for respite care services.

"Every day millions of Americans rely on family members to provide critical long-term care services. To these dedicated individuals these aren't patients, they're mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and cherished loved ones. Being a family caregiver is a full-time labor of love that can place a great strain on the lives of the people who are caring for relatives. We should provide the resources and support services these unsung heroes need," said Senator Clinton.

"Caring for an elderly or disabled loved one can be physically and emotionally stressful," said Congresswoman Lowey. "Access to respite care is critical for the well-being of both patients and caregivers. I will continue working with Senator Clinton to provide accessible, affordable health care, including expanded respite services."

Each year, 44 million Americans care for an adult family member who has a chronic illness or disability. An estimated 18 million children have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions that place significant demands on their parental caregivers. Nearly four million Americans of all ages who have a developmental disability live with their families.

Although much of family caregiving is unpaid, it is not without cost. Family caregivers provide nearly 80 percent of all long-term care in the U.S., at a value estimated at over $350 billion annually. Food, medicines and other caregiving necessities place additional strain on already tight family budgets. In addition, because of their responsibilities at home, it is much more difficult for caregivers to find or maintain jobs, which leads many caregiving families to struggle to stay afloat financially. This strain also affects employers; recent research suggests that the decrease in productivity of family caregivers costs United States employers $34 billion per year.

Senator Clinton has long advocated for caregivers of all generations. She secured passage of the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2006. She is also the co-chair of the Senate Alzheimer's Task Force. In her efforts to support caregivers, she has worked with over 180 state and national organizations providing respite care across the country.

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