PRINTER'S NO. 2524
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
587
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY RAVENSTAHL, BAKER, ENGLISH, THOMAS, WHEELAND,
COHEN, MILLARD, O'NEILL, KINSEY, BISHOP, P. DALEY, BOBACK,
READSHAW, D. COSTA, DiGIROLAMO, WATSON, KIRKLAND, KOTIK,
SONNEY, DUSH, KIM, YOUNGBLOOD, MACKENZIE, NEILSON, DRISCOLL,
LONGIETTI, WARD, SCHWEYER, R. BROWN, ROZZI, CALTAGIRONE,
GIBBONS, BIZZARRO, LEWIS, GROVE, SCHLOSSBERG, CUTLER,
SCHLEGEL CULVER, SAINATO, PAYNE, ROSS, GINGRICH, BULLOCK,
MARSICO, V. BROWN, MAHONEY, MILNE, FARINA, O'BRIEN, MAJOR,
GERGELY, DONATUCCI AND BENNINGHOFF, NOVEMBER 16, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 16, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of November 2015 as "National Family
Caregivers Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 43 million adults in the United States
have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the past year;
and
WHEREAS, More than 1.6 million Pennsylvania parents, spouses,
children, siblings and friends step forward every day to care
for a loved one in need; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers come from every age, gender and
socioeconomic, racial and ethnic group; and
WHEREAS, Caregiving today affects everyone: either you are
currently a caregiver, know a caregiver or you will become a
caregiver in the future; and
WHEREAS, Many caregivers are caring for their loved ones
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around the clock while balancing careers and raising a family;
and
WHEREAS, Family caregivers traditionally have helped with
such tasks as bathing and dressing, shopping, meal preparations
and financial management, however, an increasing number are
taking on more complicated medical tasks, including assisting
with injections, feeding tubes or catheters; and
WHEREAS, Family caregivers also serve as advocates for their
loved ones during medical appointments and hospitalizations; and
WHEREAS, Research on family caregiving over the past 35 years
shows that caregiving can negatively impact the caregivers'
personal finances, retirement security, physical and emotional
health, social networks and careers; and
WHEREAS, Although family caregivers find deep satisfaction in
their work and want to stay by their loved one's side, more than
half report being overwhelmed by the amount of care their loved
one needs; and
WHEREAS, The theme of this year's "National Family Caregivers
Month" is "Respite: Care for Caregivers"; and
WHEREAS, Respite is a key component to successful caregiving
as it protects the caregiver's health and prevents burnout by
giving the caregiver a chance to rejuvenate; and
WHEREAS, Respite allows the caregiver to spend time with
friends and family, run errands or tend to their own health care
needs; and
WHEREAS, There are many levels of respite for caregivers,
including an aide or friend who helps with household chores,
adult day centers and short-term residential respite care where
the care recipient stays overnight in a facility; and
WHEREAS, Many caregivers may feel they can do it all which
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may prevent them from asking for help or taking advantage of
respite services; and
WHEREAS, It is important to encourage these heroes to take
time for themselves so they can continue this needed care to
their loved ones; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of November 2015 as "National Family Caregivers Month" in
Pennsylvania to honor the family caregiver, the backbone of our
long-term care system who provides the daily assistance needed
to support frail loved ones at home.
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