December 2006 — The Lifespan Respite Task Force, a coalition of over 170 national, state, and local organizations, applauds the signing of The Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 (HR 3248) into law. The bill was introduced and championed in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) and James Langevin (D-RI). A companion bill in the Senate was cosponsored by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator John Warner (R-VA).

The Lifespan Respite Task Force includes a diverse group of national and state organizations: state respite and crisis care coalitions; health and community social services; disability, mental health, education, faith, family caregiving and support groups; groups from the child advocacy and the aging community; and abuse and neglect prevention groups.

Family caregivers are providing 80% of long-term care in the US, a level of care valued at $306 billion a year, more than what is spent on nursing home and paid home care combined. Even though most families take great joy in providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home, the physical, emotional and financial consequences can be overwhelming without some support, such as respite. Respite provides the much needed temporary break from the often exhausting challenges imposed by constant caregiving.

The new law would authorize $289 million over five years for state grants to develop Lifespan Respite Programs to help families access quality, affordable respite care. Lifespan respite programs are defined in the Act "as coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs." Specifically, the law authorizes funds for:

* development of state and local lifespan respite programs * planned or emergency respite care services * training and recruitment of respite care workers and volunteers * caregiver training

When the bill passed the House, Rep. Ferguson, whose own father was a caregiver for his ill mother for 6 years said, "Today's action by the House of Representatives represents not only an important victory for family caregivers nationwide, but it also sends America's caregivers a clear message: Your selfless sacrifice is appreciated, and help is on the way."

"On behalf of our nation's family caregivers who desire to keep their loved ones at home despite limited support, we commend Rep. Ferguson, Vice-chair of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Langevin, and Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator Warner (R-VA) for their leadership, and especially want to thank them, their colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and the White House for taking action to help the burgeoning numbers of family caregivers," said Jill Kagan, Chair of the National Respite Coalition, and facilitator of the Lifespan Respite Task Force. "Relatively minimal investments in respite help family caregivers provide this care at home and in the community. At a time when federal and state fiscal resources are limited, this is the most compassionate and fiscally responsible thing we can do, and a most welcome gift in this holiday season."