October 8, 2004, Kensington — Kensington, MD, 2004 - National Family Caregivers Month is celebrated in November to recognize more than 50 million family caregivers across the country who provide services valued at $257 billion annually. Family caregivers form an invisible healthcare workforce and literally underpin our healthcare system by providing approximately 80% of all homecare services. Family caregivers sacrifice time and wages to care for loved ones, and over their lifetime can lose an average of $660,000 in combined Social Security benefits, pension benefits, and wages. National Family Caregivers Month, sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association, is designed to focus on the many challenges facing family caregivers, draw support for stronger public policy to address family caregiving issues, and raise awareness about community programs that support family caregivers.
"The three most critical issues facing family caregivers today include advocating for stronger public policies affecting the day to day life of family caregivers, educating the caregivers about the importance of maintaining their own good health and well being, and providing information to help family caregivers keep their loved ones safe," says Suzanne Mintz, president and co-founder of NFCA. "NFC Month is also a time to thank, support, and recognize the services family caregivers provide every day of the year."
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), whose mission is to improve the overall quality of life of family caregivers, is a grass roots organization that educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the millions of Americans caring for chronically ill, aged or disabled loved ones. NFCA is the only organization dedicated to family caregiving that reaches across the boundaries of different diagnoses, different relationships, and different life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers.
The ongoing theme for NFC Month is "Share the Caring." To learn more about how you can become a member, support NFCA, or purchase educational and promotional NFC Month materials, please call NFCA at 800-896-3650 or visit www.thefamilycaregiver.org.
About NFCA The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) exists to support family caregivers and to speak out publicly for caregivers' needs. NFCA espouses a philosophy of self-advocacy and self-care that is predicated on the belief that caregivers who choose to take charge of their lives, and see caregiving as but one of its facets, are in a position to be happier and healthier individuals. They are then able to have a higher quality of life and to make a more positive contribution to the well being of their care recipient, all of which has a positive impact on society and health care costs. Through its services in the areas of education and information, support and validation, public awareness and advocacy, NFCA strives to minimize the disparity between a caregiver's quality of life and that of mainstream Americans.
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