Caregiving: Not Just A Personal Issue But Also A Legislative Issue
Sometimes the pressing issues that are affecting millions of American families are loud; front and center in the public dialogue. Other times, they are quiet; right in front of us, flying under the radar -- like family caregiving, an issue that will touch almost everyone in the country.
Executive Vice President for AARP’s Community, State, and National Affairs
Executive Vice President for AARP’s Community, State, and National Affairs
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
Sometimes the pressing issues that are affecting millions of American families are loud; front and center in the public dialogue. Other times, they are quiet; right in front of us, flying under the radar -- like family caregiving, an issue that will touch almost everyone in the country.
Right now, about 40 million Americans, like you and me, are assisting older parents, spouses, partners, children with disabilities, other family members and friends, helping them remain in their own homes and communities - where they want to be.
These family caregivers are the meal-givers, the medicine-givers, the respect-givers. Every day they give of themselves to help their loved ones in a variety of ways, from bathing and dressing, making meals, providing transportation, to assisting with finances, managing medications, and much more. Some provide care a few hours a week, others are responsible 24/7 -- and often they can't even take a break.
Advertisement
And while this is a common experience for the nearly half of family caregivers who are in the so-called "sandwich generation," it affects people of all ages. Almost one in 10 family caregivers are age 75 and older and about one out of every four is a Millennial.
Although family caregiving is a big issue for the country and poised to become even more significant with the aging of the Boomer population, it is also an incredibly personal issue. In some ways, caregiving is a wonderful gift for families, an opportunity to give back, but it can also be incredibly challenging.
AARP has heard this message loud and clear directly from millions of family caregivers across the country, during community programs, phone calls, and through our story-telling initiative, I Heart Caregivers. Over and over again, we hear their compelling experiences of hope, love, dedication and perseverance.
But, while every story is unique, a common theme emerges: Almost every single family caregiver says they need a little bit of help and resources along the way to make their big responsibilities just a little bit easier. They also expect action from elected officials. In fact, a poll released in March this year found that 77 percent of registered voters age 45 and older think it is important that Congress make it a priority to improve resources available to family caregivers.
Yes, caregiving is a deeply personal issue and a family issue, but now it is rising quickly as a legislative issue in communities, state legislatures across the country, and here in Washington, D.C.
Capitol Hill has also taken notice, and more importantly, taken action. Just this week, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act. The common-sense legislation was introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and would require the development of a national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers.
Passage of this bipartisan legislation is an important step forward. AARP sincerely thanks Senators Collins and Baldwin for their leadership in the Senate and we thank Representatives Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) for introducing the RAISE Act in the House. Now that the Senate has passed the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, AARP urges the U.S. House to act.
Millions of family caregivers are undertaking the rewarding, difficult and personal challenge of caring for their loved ones. And, they could use some support. Thankfully, we are seeing action as this quiet but important issue rises as a legislative priority with bipartisan support in communities across the country and Washington, D.C.
Earlier on Huff/Post50:
13 Resources For Caregivers
Advertisement
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.