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AARP Florida Names Three State Lawmakers as ‘Capitol Caregivers’

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TALLAHASSEE -- Across Florida, almost 2.7 million Floridians perform a labor of love, caring for older parents, spouses and other loved ones so they can stay at home—where they want to be—and out of costly institutions. It’s often more than a full-time job, and for millions of these caregivers, the responsibilities are overwhelming.

Now AARP has recognized three Florida lawmakers for their work in 2015 that champion the cause of family caregivers throughout the state.

AARP has named state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring; state Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, and state Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples as part of the second class of Capitol Caregivers. This bipartisan group of state legislators, lieutenant governors, and governors from 25 states, including Florida, has worked on behalf of policies to bring more support to our unsung heroes – family caregivers.

“These three lawmakers are truly champions for families across our state,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP’s Florida state director. “Through their work reforming oversight of legal guardianships, stronger consumer protections in the assisted-living industry, cutting through red tape to help advanced practice registered nurses and psychiatric nurses to help patients, they have gone above and beyond for caregivers.”

In Florida, family caregivers provided $29.7 billion worth of unpaid care annually, according to a 2013 AARP study, “Valuing the Invaluable.”

They help their loved ones with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, managing finances, transportation, grocery shopping, and much much more.

Today, family caregivers also perform medical tasks, once only done by doctors and nurses, like wound care, injections, intravenous medications and other complex medication management.

“The work for which these leaders have been recognized is a good first step toward supporting family caregivers,” said Johnson. “This journey has only started. AARP will continue to work for Florida’s family caregivers and their loved ones in 2016 for more help at home, more workplace flexibility for caregivers, better training in performing complex medical tasks and more financial protection.”

Portraits of Care
AARP believes family caregivers aren’t celebrated nearly enough, so the organization created “Portraits of Care,” a program to celebrate the invaluable contributions they make every day. AARP has honored family caregivers across the country with Portraits of Care – artists’ paintings of family caregivers and their loved ones. Linda, of Bradenton, who cares for her husband, Larry, is one of 53 caregivers – one from each state as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – randomly selected from AARP’s I Heart Caregivers storytelling initiative to receive an original portrait of herself and her husband.

Read the stories behind Portraits of Care and share your own. If you are a family caregiver, you’re not alone.

About AARP Florida
Contact information and more from your state office. Learn what we are doing to champion social change and help you live your best life.