National Family
Caregivers Month: Progress Despite Challenge
Lance Robertson, ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary
for Aging
As National Family Caregivers Month draws to a close, I
cannot help but reflect on the many challenges this year has presented to
caregivers, families, service programs, and the nation. The strength and
resilience of the people we serve and the networks who support them are
matched by ACL’s resolve to recognize and support family caregivers.
During this season of thanks, I celebrate the progress we have made and
assure you that ACL is committed to continuing this important work.
This year, ACL expanded the reach of two key programs that
support both families and caregivers. Through three-year grants under the
Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative, four tribal organizations will
work to improve services and supports for families affected by dementia
in Indian Country. Additionally, a new Lifespan Respite Special Projects
grant launched a three-year effort to enhance workforce development,
state-based respite planning, and state and local approaches to assisting
families in the development of their own systems of supports.
We also have made great progress fulfilling the requirements
of the Recognize,
Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act.
Working closely with the talented and dedicated members of the RAISE
Family Caregiving Advisory Council – which includes a diverse group of
family caregivers and stakeholder groups invested in supporting them —
we delved into critical issues for families, seeking to understand
the challenges they face in supporting their loved ones’ independence—and
also looking for solutions.
ACL, the Council, and a remarkable group of partners have
brought to life the vision Congress set for the RAISE Act, moving us
closer to the a National Family Caregiving Strategy. These partners
include The John A.
Hartford Foundation, the National
Academy for State Health Policy, the National
Alliance for Caregiving, the University
of Massachusetts Boston, and Community
Catalyst. The shared commitment of Council members and
partners to improving the lives of family caregivers is extraordinary.
Each time we meet, I am inspired by their creativity, vision, and
dedication to strengthening support for the millions of family caregivers
across this country.
Just last week, the Council voted to adopt a comprehensive
slate of recommendations that will form the foundation of the National
Family Caregiving Strategy. The recommendations cover a range of critical
issues we must address in bold and meaningful ways in order to
demonstrate that we value family caregivers — and, even more important,
to ensure they are able to continue to provide the support they provide.
Key issues include improving public awareness and outreach, strengthening
services and supports, and addressing financial and workplace
concerns. These recommendations provide a path to better
recognizing and supporting family caregivers, and in turn, supporting
independence and community living for millions of older adults and people
with disabilities.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week and look back on this
challenging year, I am grateful for the more than 50 million family
caregivers across this great country who give their all to support those
they love and help them remain independent in their homes and
communities. For ACL and the Council, family caregivers are at the core
of our mission, and for the nation, they are the cornerstone of our
long-term services system. Please join me in giving thanks for
these extraordinary people—this month and throughout the year.
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