Political Quotes

“I rise today in support of this resolution recognizing 2011 as the 11-year anniversary of the National Family Caregiver Support Program and declaring 2011 The Year of the Family Caregiver. This year, caregivers across the country and the Administration on Aging are celebrating family caregivers and working to improve the support family caregivers receive. Today's resolution recognizes the 65 million Americans who serve as family caregivers for their family members, friends, and other loved ones living with a disability, chronic illness, or other condition associated with old age. Family caregivers are the backbone of our Nation's long-term care system, accounting for 80 percent of all long- term services provided in the United States. They provide high-quality services that improve the lives of the people they care for and benefit our society. I created the National Family Caregiver Support Program in 2000 to strengthen the Older Americans Act so it may meet the day-to-day needs of our older Americans and their caregivers. The program is a partnership between States and Area Agencies on Aging. The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides counseling, training, respite care, adult daycare, and other support services to 600,000 caregivers so that families can get the resources they need to care for their loved one. The program helps American families take care of older parents while raising children of their own and pursuing a career.…”