Please Help Support U.S. Caregivers
Target:
U.S. Congress
Sponsored by:
As the long time caregiver for my Mom, I know the sacrifices we as caregivers make. Our decision to keep Mom at home with us has literally cost us everything, including our home. The Lifespan Respite Care Act may have prevented our current situation. Please join with me in supporting other family caregivers before they end up in similar situations. Our family's story can be seen here Surviving Medicare, Alcoholism, Bipolar Disorder, & Abuse - One Woman's True Story .
The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law in 2006, but has not received funding from Congress for its implementation. We can change that by urging Congress to include funding for the program in the FY09 Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bills that will soon be drafted by both the House and Senate. The law authorizes Congress to spend up to $53.3 million in FY09 and we are requesting the full authorized amount. Even if you have been urging funding for months, the process starts anew in 2008. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was passed by Congress in 2006 to make respite more accessible and affordable to family caregivers, regardless of age or disability, but to date, Congress has provided no funding ($0.00). We finally have an opportunity to provide the one service -- respite -- family caregivers most frequently request and say they need to go on and at the same time provide significant savings to our long-term care system. Prepared by National Respite Coalition. For more information, please contact Jill Kagan by phone at 703-256-9578.
You can get more specific details about the Lifespan Respite Care Act at http://chtop.org/ARCH/ARCH-National-Respite-Coalition.html .
The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law in 2006, but has not received funding from Congress for its implementation. We can change that by urging Congress to include funding for the program in the FY09 Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bills that will soon be drafted by both the House and Senate. The law authorizes Congress to spend up to $53.3 million in FY09 and we are requesting the full authorized amount. Even if you have been urging funding for months, the process starts anew in 2008. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was passed by Congress in 2006 to make respite more accessible and affordable to family caregivers, regardless of age or disability, but to date, Congress has provided no funding ($0.00). We finally have an opportunity to provide the one service -- respite -- family caregivers most frequently request and say they need to go on and at the same time provide significant savings to our long-term care system. Prepared by National Respite Coalition. For more information, please contact Jill Kagan by phone at 703-256-9578.
You can get more specific details about the Lifespan Respite Care Act at http://chtop.org/ARCH/ARCH-National-Respite-Coalition.html .
As the long time caregiver for my Mom, I know the sacrifices we as caregivers make. Our decision to keep Mom at home with us has literally cost us everything, including our home. The Lifespan Respite Care Act may have prevented our current situation. Please join with me in supporting other family caregivers before they end up in similar situations. Our family's story can be seen here Surviving Medicare, Alcoholism, Bipolar Disorder, & Abuse - One Woman's True Story .
The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law in 2006, but has not received funding from Congress for its implementation. We can change that by urging Congress to include funding for the program in the FY09 Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bills that will soon be drafted by both the House and Senate. The law authorizes Congress to spend up to $53.3 million in FY09 and we are requesting the full authorized amount. Even if you have been urging funding for months, the process starts anew in 2008. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was passed by Congress in 2006 to make respite more accessible and affordable to family caregivers, regardless of age or disability, but to date, Congress has provided no funding ($0.00). We finally have an opportunity to provide the one service -- respite -- family caregivers most frequently request and say they need to go on and at the same time provide significant savings to our long-term care system. Prepared by National Respite Coalition. For more information, please contact Jill Kagan by phone at 703-256-9578.
You can get more specific details about the Lifespan Respite Care Act at http://chtop.org/ARCH/ARCH-National-Respite-Coalition.html .
The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law in 2006, but has not received funding from Congress for its implementation. We can change that by urging Congress to include funding for the program in the FY09 Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bills that will soon be drafted by both the House and Senate. The law authorizes Congress to spend up to $53.3 million in FY09 and we are requesting the full authorized amount. Even if you have been urging funding for months, the process starts anew in 2008. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was passed by Congress in 2006 to make respite more accessible and affordable to family caregivers, regardless of age or disability, but to date, Congress has provided no funding ($0.00). We finally have an opportunity to provide the one service -- respite -- family caregivers most frequently request and say they need to go on and at the same time provide significant savings to our long-term care system. Prepared by National Respite Coalition. For more information, please contact Jill Kagan by phone at 703-256-9578.
You can get more specific details about the Lifespan Respite Care Act at http://chtop.org/ARCH/ARCH-National-Respite-Coalition.html .
Ask Your House Representative to sign onto this letter:
March XX, 2008
The Honorable David R. Obey
Chairman, Subcommittee on Labor,
Health & Human Services, and Education
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
2358-B Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable James T. Walsh
Ranking Member, Subcommittee Labor,
Health & Human Services, and Education
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
1016 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Walsh:
As your Subcommittee prepares to mark up the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill, we ask that the House include the fully authorized level of funding, $53.3 million, for the Lifespan Respite Care Act programs in FY 2009.
Chronic illnesses are the fastest-growing illnesses in our country today, and older adults are the fastest-growing population. Consequently, long-term care is increasingly important for our nation's health and constitutes a significant portion of Medicaid and Medicare spending. In 2005, approximately $207 billion was spent on professional long-term care services; 49 percent paid for by Medicaid and 20 percent paid for by Medicare. This is compared to the $137 billion spent on professional long-term care in 2000.
However, a substantial amount of our nation's long term care is voluntarily provided by family caregivers and is often unpaid. Family caregiving accounts for 80 percent of the overall long-term care provided in the United States, at a value of more than $300 billion annually.
Respite care, which provides temporary relief from continuous caregiving, decreases the likelihood of formal long-term care, resulting in significant savings for the health care system and taxpayers. Access to respite services has also been shown to help improve caregiver health and well-being, promote family stability, avoid or delay more costly out-of-home placements and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect.
In December 2006, Congress and the Administration sent a clear message of support to family caregivers with the enactment of the Lifespan Respite Care Act. Through competitive grants, the Lifespan Respite Care Act offers states the opportunity to expand access to respite care, improve local coordination of services and help families obtain information on respite provider options and payment plans.
Enactment of this legislation is the culmination of many years of bipartisan effort and will have a significant impact on our nation's caregivers. We look forward to working with you on ways to support the approximately 26 million family caregivers in the United States.
Sincerely,
(signed)
March XX, 2008
The Honorable David R. Obey
Chairman, Subcommittee on Labor,
Health & Human Services, and Education
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
2358-B Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable James T. Walsh
Ranking Member, Subcommittee Labor,
Health & Human Services, and Education
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
1016 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Walsh:
As your Subcommittee prepares to mark up the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill, we ask that the House include the fully authorized level of funding, $53.3 million, for the Lifespan Respite Care Act programs in FY 2009.
Chronic illnesses are the fastest-growing illnesses in our country today, and older adults are the fastest-growing population. Consequently, long-term care is increasingly important for our nation's health and constitutes a significant portion of Medicaid and Medicare spending. In 2005, approximately $207 billion was spent on professional long-term care services; 49 percent paid for by Medicaid and 20 percent paid for by Medicare. This is compared to the $137 billion spent on professional long-term care in 2000.
However, a substantial amount of our nation's long term care is voluntarily provided by family caregivers and is often unpaid. Family caregiving accounts for 80 percent of the overall long-term care provided in the United States, at a value of more than $300 billion annually.
Respite care, which provides temporary relief from continuous caregiving, decreases the likelihood of formal long-term care, resulting in significant savings for the health care system and taxpayers. Access to respite services has also been shown to help improve caregiver health and well-being, promote family stability, avoid or delay more costly out-of-home placements and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect.
In December 2006, Congress and the Administration sent a clear message of support to family caregivers with the enactment of the Lifespan Respite Care Act. Through competitive grants, the Lifespan Respite Care Act offers states the opportunity to expand access to respite care, improve local coordination of services and help families obtain information on respite provider options and payment plans.
Enactment of this legislation is the culmination of many years of bipartisan effort and will have a significant impact on our nation's caregivers. We look forward to working with you on ways to support the approximately 26 million family caregivers in the United States.
Sincerely,
(signed)
We signed the "Please Help Support U.S. Caregivers" petition!
# 106:
3:39 pm PDT, May 22,
Dennis Sprague, Montana
it is a shame that Congress can lend billions of dollars for corporate bailouts and not fund The Lifespan Respite Care Act. I currently care for my mother full time - Montana aging services told me she needed 24/7 care - the alternative was a nursing home and lose her house. I have been unemployed and caring for her for almost 3 years now. I have money in an ESOP fund that the IRS allows my ex-employer to control for another two years - my congressmen don't care. caregivers deserve better than that ...
it is a shame that Congress can lend billions of dollars for corporate bailouts and not fund The Lifespan Respite Care Act. I currently care for my mother full time - Montana aging services told me she needed 24/7 care - the alternative was a nursing home and lose her house. I have been unemployed and caring for her for almost 3 years now. I have money in an ESOP fund that the IRS allows my ex-employer to control for another two years - my congressmen don't care. caregivers deserve better than that ...
# 105:
12:43 pm PDT, Apr 27,
Irene Ortega, Texas
I have had to go part time at my employment, to help take care of my husband. It has cost us alot of cutting back and had to request a third mortage loan on our home due to all the extra bills and not enough income as befor. It's hard when you have to rush to be able to be there for your loved one and to wonder if he is o.k. My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers/Dementia in September 2007. I pray that someone in congress will take this seriously before it affects one of them, since this disease can strike without warning and than they will hope that they would have protected the citizens with their financial burdens before it gets to one of our congressman that at this time have that choice to make a difference for us. Just wish they would put themselves in our place.
I have had to go part time at my employment, to help take care of my husband. It has cost us alot of cutting back and had to request a third mortage loan on our home due to all the extra bills and not enough income as befor. It's hard when you have to rush to be able to be there for your loved one and to wonder if he is o.k. My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers/Dementia in September 2007. I pray that someone in congress will take this seriously before it affects one of them, since this disease can strike without warning and than they will hope that they would have protected the citizens with their financial burdens before it gets to one of our congressman that at this time have that choice to make a difference for us. Just wish they would put themselves in our place.
# 104:
5:34 pm PDT, Apr 22,
Rebecca Rummell, Pennsylvania
# 103:
5:10 pm PDT, Apr 8,
Llewelyn Dodson, Arkansas
# 102:
9:53 am PST, Feb 26,
Jennifer Phillips, Oregon
# 101:
9:45 am PST, Feb 26,
Victoria Robinson, Oregon
My mother of 62 years willingly cared for her ailing mother during her own last 3 years of full time work. Now mom is retired and caring for my dad who has chronic back pain and heart trouble. This is the easy part. She is also caring for my 47 year old brother who sustained brain damage from a speeding, cell phone user(100K max insurance payment). He no longer can handle a job and has lost most of his executive control (frontal lobe damage) so now alcohol use is a problem. This has lead to a DUI (no car now to protect everyone) and an ongoing string of unforgiving court appearances and incarcerations for not always being dry. He has brain damage and can't care for himself on his own. My 67 year old mom has been holding out for 2 years now taking him to health appointments, court/lawyer meetings and desperately trying to advocate for him. There is much more to get done than she or I (300miles away with 3 kids) can do. There is barely time and energy to be reactive to what happens in this process when the road to healing needs proactive work. The outlook is poor, there is very little understanding or support and she is burning out!!!! Not to mention she doesn't get to be the Grandmother she wants to be for my 3 children.
My mother of 62 years willingly cared for her ailing mother during her own last 3 years of full time work. Now mom is retired and caring for my dad who has chronic back pain and heart trouble. This is the easy part. She is also caring for my 47 year old brother who sustained brain damage from a speeding, cell phone user(100K max insurance payment). He no longer can handle a job and has lost most of his executive control (frontal lobe damage) so now alcohol use is a problem. This has lead to a DUI (no car now to protect everyone) and an ongoing string of unforgiving court appearances and incarcerations for not always being dry. He has brain damage and can't care for himself on his own. My 67 year old mom has been holding out for 2 years now taking him to health appointments, court/lawyer meetings and desperately trying to advocate for him. There is much more to get done than she or I (300miles away with 3 kids) can do. There is barely time and energy to be reactive to what happens in this process when the road to healing needs proactive work. The outlook is poor, there is very little understanding or support and she is burning out!!!! Not to mention she doesn't get to be the Grandmother she wants to be for my 3 children.
# 100:
6:41 pm PST, Feb 12,
Bonnie Fisher, Illinois
My twin sister and myself were caregivers for our Dad who passed in Oct 2003, and for our Mom who passed in Dec 2005. Our Dad was diagnosed with brain/lung cancer Jan 2003, and our Mom had lung cancer diagnosed Aug 2004. We wouldn't change a thing other than maybe we could have gotten some financial help along the way. My Sister filed bankruptcy 2007, and I will be filing this year...we just couldn't pull out of the financial burden. Other than the financial part, it took a toll on us physically. It's like we cant get our energy back. Granted we are in our late 50's, but it has been really hard to get back at least some of that energy. Don't get me wrong, we would not change a thing about taking care of our dying parents. In a way we got to pay them back for our upbringing. They were the two most beautiful souls that I know and love. I just would like to be a part in making a change so people like ourselves do not have to go through what we did w/o help. I did get food stamp...because I was the one that was the stay at home caregiver for my Mom. That did help put food on the table, but the rest of my bills were paid by friends/and my out-of-state brother. My other two sisters were unable to help financially, and they to were out of state. We live, pay taxes, and I would like to think we can die with dignity.
My twin sister and myself were caregivers for our Dad who passed in Oct 2003, and for our Mom who passed in Dec 2005. Our Dad was diagnosed with brain/lung cancer Jan 2003, and our Mom had lung cancer diagnosed Aug 2004. We wouldn't change a thing other than maybe we could have gotten some financial help along the way. My Sister filed bankruptcy 2007, and I will be filing this year...we just couldn't pull out of the financial burden. Other than the financial part, it took a toll on us physically. It's like we cant get our energy back. Granted we are in our late 50's, but it has been really hard to get back at least some of that energy. Don't get me wrong, we would not change a thing about taking care of our dying parents. In a way we got to pay them back for our upbringing. They were the two most beautiful souls that I know and love. I just would like to be a part in making a change so people like ourselves do not have to go through what we did w/o help. I did get food stamp...because I was the one that was the stay at home caregiver for my Mom. That did help put food on the table, but the rest of my bills were paid by friends/and my out-of-state brother. My other two sisters were unable to help financially, and they to were out of state. We live, pay taxes, and I would like to think we can die with dignity.
# 99:
4:51 pm PST, Feb 8,
Jean Sullivan, Louisiana
Care givers are the ones who put their life on hole to care for your and mine love ones , long hours and little pay , but we do it with our hearts.
Care givers are the ones who put their life on hole to care for your and mine love ones , long hours and little pay , but we do it with our hearts.
# 98:
10:19 am PST, Jan 18,
Mark Johnson, Wyoming
We don't have a Lifespan Respite Program in Wyoming. It would be very nice to see a much needed Care Program here.
We don't have a Lifespan Respite Program in Wyoming. It would be very nice to see a much needed Care Program here.
# 97:
11:58 am PST, Jan 15,
Anastasia Johnson, Wyoming
My Mom is wearing herself out caring for both of her parents and she is also caring for her husband...She needs a relief !! My husband & I go to give Grandpa showers or is on call as needed to care for both grandparents & my Dad. Mom & myself & husband is not getting paid for these needed cares. We cannot afford to hire home cares. Hospice has excuses for not reliefing Mom. I am a respite provider for my multiple disables grandson & other children.
My Mom is wearing herself out caring for both of her parents and she is also caring for her husband...She needs a relief !! My husband & I go to give Grandpa showers or is on call as needed to care for both grandparents & my Dad. Mom & myself & husband is not getting paid for these needed cares. We cannot afford to hire home cares. Hospice has excuses for not reliefing Mom. I am a respite provider for my multiple disables grandson & other children.
# 96:
7:30 pm PST, Dec 30,
Jennifer Gardner, Florida
# 95:
12:40 am PST, Nov 14,
Jen Myers, Colorado
I have compromised every aspect of my life to care for my 59 year old mentally ill mother. Please do something to prevent caregivers from losing everything we have.
I have compromised every aspect of my life to care for my 59 year old mentally ill mother. Please do something to prevent caregivers from losing everything we have.
# 94:
2:25 am PDT, Oct 15,
Mieke Bernaards, Belgium
# 93:
2:56 am PDT, Sep 25,
Simos Tarabatzis, Greece
If you are or know of a Family Caregiver, tell Congress how this would impact you.
If you are or know of a Family Caregiver, tell Congress how this would impact you.
# 92:
8:32 am PDT, Aug 21,
Kelley Kilgore, Oregon
Kelley kilgore
Kelley kilgore
# 91:
10:04 pm PDT, Aug 16,
Elaine Secondo, Connecticut
# 90:
8:12 am PDT, Aug 10,
Andi Alnwick, New York
# 89:
10:21 am PDT, Aug 1,
Name not displayed, California
# 88:
7:38 pm PDT, Jul 30,
Linda Tyson, Illinois
Although I'm not currently facing this situation I have in the past and expect I will in the future. Family caregivers need and deserve funding for The Lifespan Respite Care Act. Please vote to fully fund this program.
Although I'm not currently facing this situation I have in the past and expect I will in the future. Family caregivers need and deserve funding for The Lifespan Respite Care Act. Please vote to fully fund this program.
# 87:
6:55 am PDT, Jul 1,
Gale Weaner, Texas
# 86:
7:27 pm PDT, Jun 30,
Gary Lampman, Tennessee
# 85:
9:14 pm PDT, Jun 12,
Barbara Bunton, Texas
# 84:
3:19 pm PDT, Jun 11,
Lindsay Cooper, Louisiana
# 83:
10:30 pm PDT, May 25,
Seth Stern, New Jersey
# 82:
6:40 pm PDT, May 12,
Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 81:
10:46 am PDT, May 5,
Name not displayed, Oklahoma
# 80:
10:36 pm PDT, May 4,
SUSAN SHAFFER, California
I was the family caregiver for my mother, and the woman who has written this petition is so brave. What are we doing in this country?? I made the decison to caretake my mother as she did, and got NO help.... I thought I lived in a democracy, but I wonder??? Please get this implemented and funded so no more families are forced to lose everything! Thank you.
I was the family caregiver for my mother, and the woman who has written this petition is so brave. What are we doing in this country?? I made the decison to caretake my mother as she did, and got NO help.... I thought I lived in a democracy, but I wonder??? Please get this implemented and funded so no more families are forced to lose everything! Thank you.
# 79:
6:19 pm PDT, May 4,
Nancy Dudas, New Jersey
# 78:
5:44 pm PDT, May 4,
Name not displayed, Tennessee
# 77:
5:35 pm PDT, May 4,
Angela Pickering, Ohio
My mom took care of my Grandpa when he got sick and even though it was only about 5 mths. (he died of cancer) that was hard. She was more than willing and had her kids to help but that is still a VERY hard situation.
My mom took care of my Grandpa when he got sick and even though it was only about 5 mths. (he died of cancer) that was hard. She was more than willing and had her kids to help but that is still a VERY hard situation.
# 76:
1:37 am PDT, May 4,
Patrick Ward, New Jersey
My Mother only needs my help occasionally thank God. If or when the time comes that she needs me all the time, I fully excpect to step up and take care of her myself. I will NEVER leave her in a facility. I will care for her myself, no matter what I need to do.
My Mother only needs my help occasionally thank God. If or when the time comes that she needs me all the time, I fully excpect to step up and take care of her myself. I will NEVER leave her in a facility. I will care for her myself, no matter what I need to do.
# 75:
9:18 am PDT, May 3,
Donnamarie Sloma, New Jersey
# 74:
7:45 pm PDT, Apr 30,
JAMES SULLIVAN, Illinois
# 73:
9:24 am PDT, Apr 30,
Amanda Pacheco, Massachusetts
# 72:
5:36 pm PDT, Apr 27,
Gary Lampman, Tennessee
# 71:
1:09 pm PDT, Apr 12,
Christel Vasko, Montana
# 70:
1:46 am PDT, Apr 10,
Can Atik, Turkey
# 69:
8:21 am PDT, Apr 6,
Melanie BerryMaddex, Ohio
# 68:
7:09 pm PDT, Mar 30,
Lynn A, New York
# 67:
12:51 pm PDT, Mar 30,
Diane Clerico, Massachusetts
# 66:
6:22 am PDT, Mar 30,
Name not displayed, Wisconsin
# 65:
10:09 pm PDT, Mar 28,
Kristina Frazier-henry, Indiana
# 64:
2:37 pm PDT, Mar 28,
CHERYL ARANDA, California
# 63:
7:03 am PDT, Mar 28,
Name not displayed, Virginia
My grandfather (88 years old) has been diagnosed with dementia and now multiple myeloma (cancer). He lives with my husband and I in our home. He just came out of the hospital and is weaker because of the cancer and I can only imagine it will get worse as the cancer progresses. We do not feel we can leave him alone for fear he will fall. This means, we cannot leave the house together for the foreseeable future. We have no family who helps. Even having some respite care so we could take a walk in the neighborhood would be a huge help! Thank you.
My grandfather (88 years old) has been diagnosed with dementia and now multiple myeloma (cancer). He lives with my husband and I in our home. He just came out of the hospital and is weaker because of the cancer and I can only imagine it will get worse as the cancer progresses. We do not feel we can leave him alone for fear he will fall. This means, we cannot leave the house together for the foreseeable future. We have no family who helps. Even having some respite care so we could take a walk in the neighborhood would be a huge help! Thank you.
# 62:
5:58 am PDT, Mar 28,
Name not displayed, Florida
# 61:
7:44 pm PDT, Mar 27,
Prima Baily, New York
# 60:
12:45 am PDT, Mar 27,
Victoria Thomas, Wyoming
# 59:
8:00 pm PDT, Mar 26,
Kara Jergens, Ohio
# 58:
10:59 am PDT, Mar 26,
Richard Hollister, Arizona
# 57:
7:16 pm PDT, Mar 25,
Ezara Miclette, Connecticut
# 56:
10:52 am PDT, Mar 23,
TAYLOR WEIDNER, Colorado
# 55:
7:42 pm PDT, Mar 22,
BiLL Fowlie, Maine
# 54:
12:34 pm PDT, Mar 22,
Roxie Schliesmann, Wisconsin
# 53:
7:14 am PDT, Mar 22,
Denise Chavis, New Jersey
# 52:
5:02 am PDT, Mar 22,
Silky Wyld, Wisconsin
# 51:
12:18 pm PDT, Mar 20,
Linda Whitener, Missouri
