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U.S. Rep. Diane Black Discusses Family Caregiving During AARP Forum on Capitol Hill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 8, 2015

 

U.S. Rep. Diane Black Discusses Family Caregiving During AARP Forum on Capitol Hill

Lawmakers, Business Leaders, Advocates address strategies and policies to help caregivers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) joined leaders from the employer, health care, venture funding, entrepreneurial, and consumer advocacy communities today for a discussion on the challenges facing—and potential solutions for—the 40 million Americans who provide care for their parents, spouses/partners, and other loved ones. The “Forum on Family Caregiving: Perspectives from Policymakers and Thought Leaders” was convened by AARP as part of its ongoing work to support family caregivers.

“Just a few years ago, taking care of a loved one used to be just an experience that millions of people went through, silently, too often on their own,” said AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “Today, however, caregiving is increasingly recognized as an important issue that political leaders,  employers, and others must address so that people can provide their loved ones with needed care while also meeting their own responsibilities on the job and at home.”

The forum was bookended by conversations with and remarks by federal lawmakers about promising developments on Capitol Hill. During and after a panel moderated by Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary, the four co-chairs of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus—U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Representatives Diane Black (R-TN) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM)—discussed family caregiving and the work of the ACT Caucus.

Rep Black caregiving2
Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) shares her perspective on caregiving at the AARP National Caregiving Forum on July 8, 2015.
Naylor, Robert B



Rep. Black said, “Having just celebrated my father’s 90 th birthday and as a nurse for more than 40 years, caregiving is something that I have dealt with both personally and professionally. Regardless of our age or background, caring for our loved ones is a responsibility that most Americans will take on at some point in our lives. I am honored to be a founding member and co-chair of the bipartisan Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus and look forward to working with my colleagues to find solutions that will reduce costs while ensuring that we never compromise the quality of long term care.”

Later, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), along with U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL), spoke about their Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, which would require the development and maintenance of an integrated national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS) is the lead sponsor of this bipartisan bill in the House.

“If you’re not a family caregiver now, you likely will be or will need one someday,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer. “This is an issue that will impact everyone and requires solutions that involve everyone. The support that family caregivers need will not come exclusively from one particular sector or political party; it will involve all of us.”

The caregiving forum also looked beyond the beltway to discuss how both the public and private sectors are adapting to meet the needs of family caregivers and the loved ones they care for. Erika Ross, Senior Vice President, Health, Wellness and Life Management at Bank of America, spoke about her company’s robust benefits program for caregivers, which includes back-up care, professional care management, and elder law resources for employees. Sherwin Sheik, President and CEO of Carelinx, and John Hopper, Chief Investment Officer of Ziegler Link-Age Longevity Fund, highlighted the growth, trends, and opportunities in the market to provide care and support for family caregivers. Dr. Patricia O’Keefe, Interim President of Atlantic Health System (NJ), discussed the ways the health system is incorporating family caregivers into their care planning. Jen Mishory, Executive Director of the Young Invincibles, addressed family caregiving from the Millennial perspective, while Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer, Public Policy for The Arc, discussed various programs to support people who are caring for loved ones with disabilities.

“We are working to ensure that hospitals and other health and long-term care facilitates consistently recognize the critical role of the caregiver in providing overall care and include them in communications and overall care planning,” AARP State Director Rebecca Kelly said. “We’re working just as hard to recognize family caregivers whose tireless efforts help older parents, spouses and other loved ones remain in their homes. This is a labor of love, to be sure, but sometimes it’s more than a full time job.”

Today at the caregiving forum, AARP announced the launch of the next wave of its “ I Heart Caregivers” story-telling initiative. To honor family caregivers from across the nation, AARP unveiled “Portraits of Care,” inviting caregivers to submit their personal stories for the opportunity to receive an artist’s painting of them and their loved one. One caregiver from each of the 53 U.S. states and territories will be randomly selected after September 30 to receive a Portrait of Care, which will be presented in November during National Family Caregivers Month.

For more information on caregiving, visit AARP’s Caregiving Resource Center at www.aarp.org/caregiving.

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About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org .​
 

 

 

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