Caregiver Support: Respite Care

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If you want to send a message to your US Reps or Senators, just enter your zip code here, which will link you to their contact information at http://www.congress.org. Then just cut and paste the message below (you many have to press Control-V rather than the paste icon) and click send.

Message for Legislators:
November is National Family Caregivers Month. This is the perfect time to honor our valued family caregivers by taking action in support of the Lifespan Respite Care Act (HR 3248, S. 1283). As a [family caregiver, member of state respite coalition or supporting organization, or respite provider], I am writing to urge your support for this important legislation, championed by Senator Warner (R-VA) in the Senate and Rep. Ferguson (R-NJ) in the House.

Nearly 50 million caregivers nationwide currently provide over $250 billion worth of care to their loved ones, including young children, adult children, spouses and aging family members and friends with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Respite has been shown to help alleviate stress associated with caregiving, sustain families and marriages, and delay or avoid more costly out-of-home placements.

At a time when we are especially constrained by serious budget considerations, we should note the savings inherent in supporting cost-effective services such as respite. By delaying placement in a nursing facility for even one individual with Alzheimer's for just a few months, thousands of dollars of Medicaid savings alone could potentially be realized.

Please cosponsor the Lifespan Respite Care Act. Swift action on this legislation will help make respite available and accessible to family caregivers, and would honor the nation's family caregivers in time to celebrate November's National Family Caregivers Month.



Contact Legislators to Support Lifespan Respite Care Act

Instructions




CONTENTS
New Fact Sheet: Respite Cost Savings

New ! Side by Side summaries of House and Senate Lifespan Respite Care Legislation

House Lifespan Respite Care Act (HR 3248)

Summary of House Lifespan Respite Care Act (HR 3248)

Senate Lifespan Respite Care Act (S. 1283)

Summary of Senate Lifespan Respite Care Act (S. 1283)

Legislative Alert - July/05

Message for Legislators

Senate Dear Colleagues seeking Senate Cosponsors for Lifespan Respite Care Act

Summary of Senate Lifespan Respite Care Act (S. 1238)

Summary of Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act (S. 602, HR 1262)

ARCH Lifespan report - "Statewide Lifespan REspite Programs: A Study of 4 State Programs" (Aug. 2004)

Nebraska Governor supports Lifespan

Reeve Foundation Makes second grant of $10,000 to ARCH
Testimony of the Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton before the Senate Finance Committee Hearing on "Strategies to improve Access to Medicaid Home and Community Based Services" April 7,2004

FAQs: Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2003 (S.538; H.R. 1083)

Fact Sheet: Model State Lifespan Respite Programs

Jan Moss, Family Caregiver from Oklahoma City, testifies in support of Lifespan Respite Care Act

Summary of Caregiving Legislation in 108th Congress

Congressional Briefing

Endorsing Organizations (PDF)

NHC Conference Proceedings

Goals

Working Definition

Importance of Respite

Principles of Quality Respite Care


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