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AARP to “Adopt-a-Room” for caregivers at Ronald McDonald House of Delaware

On Friday, September 11, 2015, AARP Delaware will dedicate a room for caregivers at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware as part of the “Adopt-a-Room” program. AARP State President Rashmi Rangan will present a check to Ronald McDonald House CEO Pam Cornforth during a press conference at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware at 11:00 am. Delaware Secretary of Health and Social Services Rita Landgraf will also speak on the importance of supporting caregivers.

The room will be used by families who stay at the House while their seriously ill children are receiving care at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. The room dedication is part of AARP’s caregiving initiative, to call attention to unpaid family caregiving and the need for support for the families who provide countless hours of care.

About 40 million people in America care for a family member, neighbor or friend who has limitations in everyday activities. In Delaware, there are some 202,000 family caregivers at any given moment, who provide care valued at $1.58 billion. These unsung heroes are “family caregivers.” Many are providing this type of care while going unrecognized and unsupported for years before getting assistance.

Ronald McDonald House has served 39,800 families since its opening in 1991. In 2014, they served 2,383 families with rooms, meals, a fitness center, sunroom, playrooms and many more amenities to make a caregivers’ stay pleasant.

“Ronald McDonald House provides an amazing service to families,” said AARP State President Rashmi Rangan. “This stellar non-profit allows families to provide support to their loved ones free of charge during difficult times.”

Rangan also noted that AARP will work closely with community and governmental groups on the CARE Act in 2016.

Ronald McDonald House President and CEO Pam Cornforth notes, “The Ronald McDonald House of Delaware is so grateful for the community groups like AARP Delaware who provide financial support that enable us to meet our mission of keeping families together during a child's medical crisis. For caretakers having a safe, comfortable place to stay improves their ability to participate in the care of their hospitalized child, a key cornerstone of family centered care."

The media is invited to attend. Caregivers will be available for interviews.

WHO:

Rita Landgraf, Secretary of Health and Social Services, State of Delaware
Pam Cornforth, President and CEO, Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
Rashmi Rangan, State President, AARP Delaware
Lucretia Young, State Director, AARP Delaware

WHAT:

“Adopt-a-Room for Caregivers” dedication

WHEN:

Friday, September 11, 2015
11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
1901 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803

RESOURCES:

Caregiver Support: Blueprint for Delaware - Caregiver Support: Blueprint for Delaware

AARP Caregiving Resource Center - www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/

Share a caregiving story - www.iheartcaregivers.com

Ronald McDonald House - www.rmhde.org

About AARP Delaware
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