Title
Recognizing the Month of November As National Family Caregivers Month and Celebrating the Outstanding Supports Provided to Family Caregivers by AARP.
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WHEREAS, President Bill Clinton initiated the first National Family Caregivers Month in 1997. The purpose of the Month is to celebrate the efforts of family caregivers, raise awareness of family caregiver issues and increase support for family caregivers; and
WHEREAS, Family caregivers provide stability and a wide range of support to family members who need care, including children, the elderly, and people with intellectual, physical or emotional challenges. Family caregivers enable their family members to live their fullest lives with dignity and independence, supporting personal hygiene, managing medications, organizing medical and legal documents, and serving as a liaison in times of medical emergency; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers make up a significant part of the American population. According to caregiver.org, 43 million Americans provide some type of caregiving. The number of caregivers rises every year, due in large part to to the increase in the elderly population. The profile of the average family caregiver is a mother with school-aged children. 42 percent of caregivers care for their own parents; and
WHEREAS, Family caregivers make an enormous time commitment to ensure the health and stability of their family members. The average family caregiver spends 24 hours per week caring for a family member and 25 percent of family caregivers provide more than 40 hours of service per week to their family member. Although caregiving can be a full-time commitment, up to 60 percent of caregivers support their families while holding a part-time or full-time job; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's changing demographics demonstrate the importance of family caregiving to the City. According to the United States Census, 13 percent of City residents are age 65 or older, 12 percent of residents under age 65 ...
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