Supporting The Goals And Ideals Of Senior Caregiving

Floor Speech

Supporting The Goals And Ideals Of Senior Caregiving

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today and am proud to do so in support of House Concurrent Resolution 59, supporting the goals and ideals of senior caregiving. I also want to take the opportunity to thank my colleague from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) for introducing this resolution.

According to the Administration on Aging, the number of people age 65 and older was 37.9 million in 2007, an increase of 3.8 million since 1997. The population of those 65 and older is projected to increase from 40 million in 2010 to 55 million in 2020. The number of those 85 and older is projected to increase from 4.2 million in the year 2000 to 6.6 million in the year 2020.

In the United States today, it's estimated that 4.5 million people have Alzheimer's disease, and this number is expected to increase to between 11.3 million and 16 million by 2050. Seventy percent of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias live at home and need assistance to perform normal daily activities.

Today, a quarter of all seniors need some level of assistance with their daily activities, and according to the Administration on Aging, persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19 years.

Caregiving for these individuals takes many forms. Caregivers may be full- or part time, live with their loved one, or provide care from a distance. Caregiving ranges from simple help such as shopping to conducting medical procedures.

There are an estimated 44 million adults in the United States providing care to adult relatives or friends. The longer a senior is able to provide for his or her own care, the less burden is placed on our public systems. Caregivers keep individuals out of institutions and help them live out their lives in familiar surroundings and with dignity. It is appropriate that we take a few minutes today to honor these individuals who give so much of themselves to provide care for our aging population.

I stand in support of this resolution recognizing the profession of senior caregiving and supporting the private home care industry, and I ask for my colleagues' support.

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