June 2009 — The Sunday, June 7 New York Times featured an article highlighting the economic difficulties faced by family caregivers in today's recession by John Leland. The article states, "The economic crisis has spread its pain widely, but it has placed special stresses on the estimated 44 million Americans who provide care for an elderly or disabled relative or spouse, many of whom have already made themselves financially vulnerable trying to balance work and family."

Read the full article here.

Currently the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are working on legislation for healthcare reform. NFCA urges family caregivers to SPEAK UP and to ask legislators to include long-term services and support for the chronically ill, disabled and elderly in their healthcare reform legislation.

Take this opportunity to send a letter to your senators and representatives with a link to this article saying that this describes just some of the reasons that health care reform must include long-term services and support for the chronically ill, disabled and aged family members.

Go here for the House and Senate email addresses. Remember - family caregiving doesn't have to be as hard as it is. Now is the time for all family caregivers to SPEAK UP.