Rep. Lujan Grisham Announces Bi-Partisan Family Caregiving Caucus

Press Release

The caucus will bring greater attention to family caregiving and helping people live independently, educate Congress on these issues and engage members on a bipartisan basis to help lead to solutions with the support of AARP and other national organizations.

"As a caregiver for my elderly mother, I have a deep respect and understanding of the rigorous and demanding responsibilities that fall on the shoulders of a caregiver," says Rep. Lujan Grisham. "Our priority is identifying much-needed resources for those fulfilling this obligation for a family member or loved one."

AARP produced a video with interviews of Rep. Lujan Grisham and the other co-chairs of the caucus. See the video here: https://vimeo.com/aarpbroadcast/review/121079510/d4f6ebc425

A survey released by AARP today found that 77% of voters age 40 and older think Congress should improve resources for family caregivers who assist seniors and people with disabilities live independently.

About 42 million family caregivers provide over 40 billion hours of unpaid care to an adult with limitations in daily activities that include eating, dressing, bathing and transportation. The estimated economic value of these unpaid contributions was $450 billion in 2009. In addition, about 3.9 million family caregivers provide care to a child under age 18 due to medical, behavioral or other conditions or disabilities. Family caregivers provide more than 90% of the care that enables people with disabilities to avoid living in nursing homes or other institutional settings. With the aging of the Baby Boomers, there will be even greater caregiving burdens on fewer family members. According to an AARP report, complex caregiving is the new normal.

Marianita Gorman, a caregiver from Albuquerque, attended today's news conference. Last year, she was providing 24/7 care for a close friend with a debilitating physical illness. Marianita was in charge of all his medical decisions as his health declined and worked nights as a nurse in order to care for him during the day until he passed away. To read more about her story visit https://act.aarp.org/iheartcaregivers/stories/1242/.

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