National Family Caregivers Awareness Month

Floor Speech

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, November is National Family Caregivers Awareness Month, a time to honor the work of over 65 million family members who sacrifice every day to care for their loved ones with special needs.

Whether they have a father with Alzheimer's or a mother with Parkinson's
disease or a child with autism, these caregivers provide approximately 80 percent of the long-term care for the chronically ill. Unfortunately, this 24-hour-a-day commitment can take a toll on the caregiver's emotional, physical, and financial well-being.

Respite care provides a temporary break for family members engaged in the full-time task of caregiving. In fact, it is the most frequently requested support service, yet nearly 90 percent of caregivers still go without needed assistance. That's why I've introduced the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act, and will continue to advocate for its passage and funding.

Mr. Speaker, family caregivers are our Nation's silent heroes, and they deserve our recognition and support not just in November but every day of the year. To all of them, I say a heartfelt ``thank you.''

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