FW: [GA-ChildrensNetwork] federal respite bill pending, needs support.....

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FYI

please forward to all......this is something we all need more of..... " National

Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) " <info@...> wrote:

Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 15:08:33 -0400 (EDT)From: " National Family Caregivers

Association (NFCA) " <info@...>tatumcrew@...:

May NFCA Member Message

May NFCA Member Message

Dear Family Caregivers –

First, let me wish you a lovely holiday weekend. On behalf of everyone here at

NFCA, we hope you will find a little time for yourself the weekend. And if that

time permits, we have some ideas for a few things you might want to do this

weekend that would help you and millions of other family caregivers.

You will find three opportunities in this e-letter.

Write your representatives about the important Lifespan Respite Act.

Participate in the national Citizens' Health Care survey which is information

being requested by Congress and the President.

Women between the ages of 50 and 64 can participate in a phone survey for

employed family caregivers.

1. Right now there is a bill in Congress called the Lifespan Respite Care Act,

which for the first time received official recognition from the Energy and

Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives. If it becomes law it will

start the process of making quality respite available and accessible to more

family caregivers, regardless of age or disability.

I am asking for your help to push Lifespan Respite Act Legislative Update (HR

3248, S. 1283) along by writing to your representatives. If you are not sure of

your senators’ and/or representative’s name or email address you can go to this

site and simply input your address for the information:

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress . The Memorial Day Congressional recess (May

26 - June 5) is a great time to reach out to your representatives.

Following is a sample letter for your consideration and as always, feel free to

put something in your own words if you prefer.Dear__________:Please cosponsor

the Lifespan Respite Care Act (HR 3248, S 1283). The bill authorizes competitive

grants to states to focus on making quality respite available and accessible to

family caregivers, regardless of age, disability, or family situation. Respite,

the most frequently requested family support service among the more than 50

million family caregivers nationwide, provides family caregivers with relief

necessary to maintain their own health, bolster family stability, keep marriages

intact, and avoid or delay much more costly nursing home or foster care

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 or other serious chronic conditions for just a

few months, thousands of dollars of Medicaid savings alone could potentially be

realized. Respite, however, is in short supply or inaccessible for all age

groups. In our own state of _________________, respite is desperately needed for

all family caregivers. TELL YOUR STORY BRIEFLY The Lifespan Respite Care Act is

based on model Lifespan Respite Systems in Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin and

Oklahoma. These systems provide easy access to an array of affordable, quality

respite services; ensure flexibility to meet diverse needs; and assist with

locating, training, and paying respite providers. We know Lifespan Respite

Systems work. Please cosponsor the bill today.

Signed with your name and address

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2. CITIZENS’ HEALTH CARE

Congress and the President created the Citizens' Health Care Working Group to

hear your opinions on how to make health care work for all Americans. You can

have an inside track to influence the deliberations of Congress and the

President. Don't miss your chance.Under a new federal law, the public

involvement that we hope you will be part of must be followed up promptly with

Congressional hearings and action on what you and other Americans want the

health care system to be. That’s why this isn’t just another public opinion

poll. It is a chance for every citizen to shape national policy: to get the

facts, weigh the tradeoffs, and tell the President Please go this web site for

the survey: http://www.citizenshealthcare.gov/speak_out/hcpoll2.php 3. And

finally, if you are a female family caregiver, and working full time and would

like to participate in a survey that is focused on reaching out to employers,

healthcare professionals, and policy makers to better understand your needs …

you are invited to participate in this important research funded by the National

Institute on Aging.

All women, between the ages of 50 and 64, employed full time AND caring for a

relative or friend who is 50 years old or older, can call, toll free at

877-652-4464 to participate in this telephone survey. You may call seven days a

week, any time (expect for Memorial Day.) In return for your participation they

will mail you a very nice tote bag as a thank you gift.

Please feel free to forward this email to other family caregivers as all of this

information is so important and we appreciate your help in spreading the word.

At NFCA, we hope that whatever you end up doing this weekend – we wish you and

your loved one all the best.

Take care,

Suzanne MintzPresident and Co-FounderNational Family Caregivers Association

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Our address: 3047 North Lincoln Ave. Suite 210Chicago, Illinois 60657