HJ754: Virginia Caregivers Week; designating as November 2009, and each succeeding year thereafter.
WHEREAS, Virginia’s caregivers are recognized for the outstanding service they provide and the significant role they play in their families and in their communities; and
WHEREAS, one in every five adults is responsible for managing the care, finances, or well-being of an adult family member or a child with special needs; and
WHEREAS, out-of-pocket expenditures, not counting lost income, may range from $6,000 to $12,000, which amounts to 10 percent of annual income for the average caregiver; and
WHEREAS, eight percent of home care services are provided by volunteer family members and friends, who also may be in jeopardy of having an accident or illness, which would result in their giving up the role of caregiver to seek medical care themselves; and
WHEREAS, in the last decade, the National Quality Care Network has helped establish and promote evidence-based best practices for caregiving, including developing a support network for caregivers; and
WHEREAS, studies have revealed that one third of caregivers have been providing care for more than five years; and
WHEREAS, 50 percent of caregivers have reduced or eliminated their leisure activities and vacations, and they spend an average of 35 hours a week providing direct care; and
WHEREAS, a 2006 AARP Policy Foundation research project estimated that nationally over $350 billion dollars of care was administered annually if the work of volunteer caregivers was valued at $9.36 per hour; and
WHEREAS, caregivers, through their love, strength, and hard work, provide a vital service to their families and to their community and they deserve the help and support of all the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate the third week in November, in 2009 and in each succeeding year, as Virginia Caregivers Week in the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assembly’s website.
WHEREAS, Virginias caregivers are recognized for the outstanding service they provide and the significant role they play in their families and in their communities; and
WHEREAS, one in every five adults is responsible for managing the care, finances, or well-being of an adult family member or a child with special needs; and
WHEREAS, out-of-pocket expenditures, not counting lost income, may range from $6,000 to $12,000, which amounts to 10 percent of annual income for the average caregiver; and
WHEREAS, eight percent of home care services are provided by volunteer family members and friends, who also may be in jeopardy of having an accident or illness, which would result in their giving up the role of caregiver to seek medical care themselves; and
WHEREAS, in the last decade, the National Quality Care Network has helped establish and promote evidence-based best practices for caregiving, including developing a support network for caregivers; and
WHEREAS, studies have revealed that one third of caregivers have been providing care for more than five years; and
WHEREAS, 50 percent of caregivers have reduced or eliminated their leisure activities and vacations, and they spend an average of 35 hours a week providing direct care; and
WHEREAS, a 2006 AARP Policy Foundation research project estimated that nationally over $350 billion dollars of care was administered annually if the work of volunteer caregivers was valued at $9.36 per hour; and
WHEREAS, caregivers, through their love, strength, and hard work, provide a vital service to their families and to their community and they deserve the help and support of all the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate the third week in November, in 2009 and in each succeeding year, as Virginia Caregivers Week in the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assemblys website.