Caregiver

“ This new coverage will help family caregivers, who often inform or make medical decisions for those they care for, by ensuring that their loved ones receive the best health care available.
Every day, family caregivers sacrifice their own needs to offer their loved ones the opportunity to live with dignity and independence in familiar surroundings. Their love, selflessness, and devotion inspire us all and demonstrate the compassionate spirit of America. ”

“ The true value of the role that caregivers play in the lives of America's families is immeasurable. Providing physical comfort and emotional reassurance, these strong and selfless people care for loved ones who can no longer care for themselves. The vast majority of caregivers are family members-often older relatives-and women provide most of the informal care that their families receive. ”

“ During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize these kind individuals who give of their hearts, resources, and energy to assist loved ones in need.
Family caregivers exemplify the true spirit of compassion by providing support to their loved ones and assisting with their everyday activities and special needs. These selfless people must often make great personal sacrifices to maintain the care and support their family and friends require. ”

“ Caregiving touches us all, either within our own families or within our communities. As we observe National Family Caregivers Month, let us thank the millions of devoted men and women across our Nation who enable our loved ones who are frail, chronically ill, or living with disabilities to live in dignity in the warmth and familiarity of home. ”

“ Many family caregivers provide innumerable services to people in need, including meal preparation, shopping, finance management, transportation, and companionship. In addition, they often manage both simple and complex healthcare issues, and coordinate medical appointments to ensure continuity of care. Caregivers must often be available around the clock, which can require them to forgo or postpone priorities for their own lives. Through sacrificial love, caregivers endure emotional, physical, and financial strain for the sake of another. ”

“ As the size of our elderly population continues to grow, home care increasingly represents an important, dignified, and compassionate alternative for countless individuals.
To support and train families at all stages of caregiving, the Administration on Aging provides community-based assistance through the "National Family Caregiver Support Program." ”

“ Each day millions of Americans provide nursing care and other forms of assistance to relatives who are incapacitated by age, illness, or disability. These family caregivers not only help to support loved ones who might otherwise be forced to live in an institutional setting but also exemplify the kind of unconditional love and commitment that is the essence of family life. ”

“ Care is usually provided by family members, often wives, daughters, and daughters-in-law, who may sacrifice their own employment opportunities to bring joy and comfort into the lives of loved ones. Selflessly offering their energy and love to those in need, family caregivers have earned our heartfelt gratitude and profound respect. ”

“ Through a national network of state and area agencies on aging, the program provides information to caregivers about available counseling, support groups, training, and other services. In addition, the program provides respite care to temporarily relieve caregivers.
Family caregivers deserve our support and respect. They tirelessly assume demanding responsibilities for the benefit of those they love. During this challenging time for our Nation, their selfless heroism demonstrates the quiet determination and courage of the American spirit. ”

“ The Caregiver Support Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs helps address the specific needs of those who provide critical support to our Nation's veterans, offering education, financial assistance, peer support mentoring, and respite care services to eligible family members. ”

“ As a result, more Americans are becoming involved in caring for family members who want to age with dignity and respect.
This week, as we celebrate the contributions of caregivers to their families and communities, let us recognize the challenges these generous individuals must confront on a daily basis-challenges that include fulfilling multiple and often conflicting roles of caregiving for their aging relatives, caring for young children, and working outside their homes. ”

“ They have a healthy mind, body and spirit that enable them to maximize their potential;
They develop a healthy attachment to a parent, guardian or caregiver and an ongoing relationship with a caring and supportive adult ”

“ These loving family caregivers provide 80 to 90 percent of the medical care, household maintenance, transportation, and shopping needs of older persons. Too little recognition is given in our society to those who perform such a labor of familial love. Anyone who has personally cared for a loved one or who has witnessed such care knows that, however gratefully received, the effort is often physically and emotionally challenging.
For these reasons, it is important that all Americans have a greater awareness of and support for the vital role of family caregivers. ”

“ The unselfish devotion of family caregivers affirms the importance of respecting the dignity of life in all stages and underscores the importance of the family unit. Family caregivers empower their spouses, parents, and siblings to maintain ties with family, friends, and community. ”

“ Caregivers understand how much we need and depend on one another. Indeed, Americans understand that our strength as a Nation has always flowed from the sturdy bonds of family. In recognition of this fact, we all must work harder to ensure that our Nation's caregivers receive the support and assistance they deserve. ”

“ Caregivers reflect family and community life at its best. Thanks to their efforts, Americans with disabilities and a growing number of elderly Americans are able to stay in familiar surroundings and to maintain their dignity and independence. Caregivers not only enhance the quality of life for those they serve, but also greatly reduce the demands on the formal system of caregiving services in our Nation. ”

“ Caregivers often pay an emotional and physical price as well as a financial one. Few enjoy any free time because they must juggle the demands of home and work while meeting the special needs of the individuals in their care. Many do not have the support of other family members or friends and consequently experience depression, a sense of isolation, and the stress of knowing they must carry out their important duties alone. ”

“ Each day across America, some 22 million caregivers and volunteers dedicate themselves to improving the qualify of life for older family members, friends, and neighbors. By providing personal care, housekeeping, transportation, and innumerable other services and assistance, these caregivers enable many older Americans to remain in their own homes and communities, maintaining a precious measure of dignity and independence. ”

“ The statistics describing caregivers in America today tell an extraordinary story of generosity and compassion. Nearly one in four households is involved in caring for a relative or other loved one in need, providing a range of assistance from personal care to household help to transportation. Thirty percent of caregivers are caring for two or more people, and 64 percent hold down jobs while providing such care. Caregivers share not only their time, but also their resources, spending some $2 billion a month of their own assets for groceries, medicine, and other aid. ”

“ IV THE NURSE AND HER PATIENT'S FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND SERVANTS Try to realize when you go to a house where there is dangerous illness, that the family is glad to see you when you come. You have come to help them, to stay with them, to comfort them by your presence, by your knowledge, by your experience. They have needed you, have sent for you, and are to pay you for your time. There is a general sense of relief when you are once fairly installed in your place by the bedside, yet you are a stranger. Your friend, the doctor, has told them what a treasure you are. ”

“ Some of our family, enfeebled by malarial fevers, and the ills resulting from them, imbibed fresh draughts of health and life with every breath, the weak lungs and tender irritable throats healed rapidly in the kindly strengthening atmosphere, and hearts that had been sore at parting with dear friends and a beloved home, were filled with gratitude to Him who had led us to so fair and lovely a resting place, and we mark that time with a white stone in memory of His loving kindness in thus preparing us for what was to come. ”

“ O dearest parents, don’t cease to strive, And as you had work and cares all your life, A life so hard and a life so long, So will at last from Heaven descend A day of rest when care has an end. We boys are young, and we can strive, Our courage is still fresh in life. We know how to fight with care and need, And where luck’s flower is blooming so sweet. Soon we return, and when we are there, We laughingly turn her out, gray Dame Care. ”