AARP to "Adopt-A-Room" for Caregivers with Lt. Gov. Hall Long

On Monday, September 11, 2017, AARP Delaware will dedicate a room for caregivers at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware as part of their “Adopt-a-Room” program. AARP State Director Lucretia Young will present a check to Ronald McDonald House CEO Pam Cornforth during a press conference at 11:30 am.  Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long will be keynote speaker.

The room will be used by families who stay at the House while their seriously ill children are receiving care at Delaware’s hospitals. The room dedication is to commemorate of the passage of Senate Bill 52, the CARE Act, during the 2016 Legislative session in Delaware. To further express AARP’s support of the work of the Ronald McDonald House, AARP staff and volunteers will prepare breakfast items for residents beginning at 9 am.

The Delaware Legislature passed the CARE Act to provide more supports for caregivers. When a patient leaves the hospital, their caregivers are often asked to perform complex medical tasks such as wound care or managing medications. The bill makes hospital discharge less stressful by giving patients the opportunity to identify a caregiver; and offering instruction / demonstration of the care needed once they return home. Lt. Gov. Hall-Long, who was the bill’s sponsor during her tenure as a State Senator in 2016, worked to ensure all the right support for the CARE Act.

“Delaware has an estimated 123,000 caregivers statewide.” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “Last year, we worked in partnership with the AARP of Delaware to create a process so that friends and family of those receiving care can help their loved one recover successfully at home. This allows us to increase quality of care for our loved ones while reducing healthcare costs. I’m excited to join AARP and the Ronald McDonald House as they continue to improve resources for our caregivers.”

Ronald McDonald House has served 44,400 families since its opening in 1991. In 2016, they served 2,013 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 Director Lucretia Young. “This stellar non-profit allows families to provide support to their loved ones free of charge during difficult times.”

Young also noted that AARP works closely with organizations like the Ronald McDonald House to advocate and inform on the issue of caregiving.

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."

 

WHO:                   Bethany Hall Long, Lt. Gov., State of Delaware

Pam Cornforth, President and CEO, Ronald McDonald House of Delaware

Lucretia Young, State Director, AARP Delaware

WHAT:               AARP staff and volunteers prepare breakfast for residents

of Ronald McDonald House, 9 AM

Adopt a Room dedication, 11:30 AM

WHEN:                Monday, September 11, 2017

  WHERE:            Ronald McDonald House of Delaware

1901 Rockland Road

Wilmington, DE 19803

RSVP:                     https://aarp.cvent.com/AdoptARoom