City Council Meeting

Catherine ReadI'm going to now invite the Fairfax Village in the City Advisory Board and Senior Center to come down to accept the National Family Caregivers Month Proclamation. And now to proclaim. same. Whereas during National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize more than 53 million people in the United States who serve as caregivers for family, friends, and neighbors with generous hearts and faithful devotion. And whereas it is estimated that the number of caregivers will continue to increase as a result of an increase in the number of older adults who wish to remain in their own home and need assistance. And whereas millions of older adults and people with disabilities could not maintain their independence without the help of unpaid caregivers, estimated to cost nearly $470 billion a year nationwide if purchased.

Catherine ReadAnd whereas many caregivers are women, with one-third of caregivers providing at least 20 hours a week of care by providing physical and emotional support, managing medications, ensuring personal care, shopping and providing transportation for activities of daily living. And whereas family caregivers are the backbone of our nation's long-term care system, doing essential work often at great physical, emotional, and financial cost to themselves. And whereas the Villages, a nationwide initiative that connects members to a full range of support services to help with non-medical household tasks, services, programs, and transportation, they can serve as an additional support to caregivers. And whereas Fairfax Village in the city is committed to supporting caregivers throughout our community who improve the quality of life for those who need additional support through the generous gift of their time.

Anita Lightpublic commentYou Mayor Reed and members of City Council on behalf of the Fairfax Village in the city our members our volunteers and our staff we really appreciate the opportunity to recognize family caregivers this month. We, you know, I just like many of you have experienced family caregiving and the stress that it creates on the person's physical and mental health and what we really hope all of you do is to pay attention as the mayor said to those in our community who either are doing caregiving or are providing it for their family or you're aware of that in the community. One of the First Lady, First Lady Rosalyn Carter, said that there are four types of people in the world. Those that have been caregivers, those who are