Health - Respite Care

Respite Care

Statements

Introduction of National Family Caregiver Support Act
April 22, 1999

Statement by Henry A. Waxman

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to sponsor H.R. 1341, "The National Family Caregiver Support Act of 1999." Last month, I joined my colleague, Matthew Martinez, in sponsoring this important piece of legislation.

Every American family is doing more with less time – but none more so than the families who must care for an older relative with chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's or with mental or physical disabilities. Growing numbers of families are choosing to care for their own at home over placing sick relatives in institutionalized care settings.

This is what the New York Times calls "a fundamental shift in health care." Today, dutiful children and caring spouses provide the staggering equivalent of $200 billion in direct care to their elderly or ailing relatives. At least 21 million Americans provide such free care— and this number is growing very quickly. In fact, one in four Americans currently provides care to a person with a chronic medical condition.

Perhaps the best way to understand this tremendous demand on our families is to think of the time required of them. All of us are familiar with the 40 hour work week. Setting aside the expense, the emotional demands and the need for training of family caregivers, we know today that four million American households offer at least 40 hours of unpaid family care to an older relative every week. Family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients spent an average 69 to 100 hours per week providing such care.

We must also bear in mind that these families are juggling multiple responsibilities. More than 40 percent of family caregivers also care for children under 18 – and two-thirds are full-time or part-time workers. You may have heard the term, "the sandwich generation" applied to the many Baby Boomers who are struggling to balance work, children and care for their parents. This is having an important impact on the workplace as well; according to corporate executives surveyed last year by the Conference Board, elder care will soon top child care as a major concern for employees.

There is every indication that these demands on family caregivers will grow. Americans are living longer and the need for long-term care is growing quickly. Cost pressures in our health care system are reducing hospital stays and increasing outpatient care. These trends virtually assure that family caregivers will play an increasingly indispensable role in our health care delivery system.

That is why we introduced H.R. 1341. These families need help. Modest, targeted initiatives like H.R. 1341 can do the most to help them by building on existing, successful efforts to provide assistance. Let me give a few examples. According to experts, "the greatest need for most caregivers is rest." H.R. 1341 would provide them with quality respite care. States like California and Pennsylvania are leaders in providing assistance at "one-stop shops." H.R. 1341 would expand these efforts through Federal-State partnerships. Local agencies, nonprofits and community groups currently provide family caregivers with training, counseling, referrals and crucial respite care. H.R. 1341 would reward outstanding, innovative programs and identify those of national significance.

1999 is the International Year of Older Persons. In recognition of this important milestone, I encourage my colleagues to demonstrate their commitment to securing the dignity and health of older Americans and their families by cosponsoring H.R. 1341, "The National Family Caregiver Support Act of 1999."