Many Thanks to Clinton and Lowey for Advocating for Caregivers

You may have heard of the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which provides competitive grants across the country to increase respite care services for family caregivers of those with special needs, from children to older relatives with Alzheimer's disease.

But did you know that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton wrote the Act and ensured its passage? The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law on December 22, 2006. Clinton is also co-chair of the Senate Alzheimer's Task Force.

Earlier this month, Senator Clinton and New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey joined with caregivers and advocates in Westchester County, New York to call for more funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Act, stating that family caregivers are "unsung heroes" who deserve adequate resources and support.

I applaud Senator Clinton and Congresswoman Lowey for their compassion and advocacy in the area of caregiver respite. Considering that close to 80% of long-term care is provided by family caregivers in the home, we need strong voices calling for more respite funding and resources in order to keep this issue fresh in people's minds.

More about Caregiving:

• Why Caregivers Need Respite
• Understanding the Brain-Behavior Relationship
• Caregiver Support: The About.com Alzheimer's Disease Forum

Photo © Microsoft