This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the federal government’s first ever national strategy to address the needs of family caregivers!
The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers highlights nearly 500 actions federal, state, and local governments, along with the private sector, can take to support this fast-growing population.
https://acl.gov/CaregiverStrategy
“Supporting family caregivers is an urgent public health issue, exacerbated by the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This national strategy recognizes the critical role family caregivers play in a loved one’s life. I know the importance of this first-hand, as someone who cared for my late father and navigated the challenges associated with caregiving.”
HHS acknowledged what family caregivers already know: caregiving is stressful, and family caregivers lack resources to stay healthy, maintain their wellbeing, and financial security while supporting their loved ones.
According to HHS, nearly 53 million provide care to loved ones who are aging or who have a disability.
1 in 5 employees in your organization double as unpaid family caregivers, and 1 in 3 will leave the workforce due to the stresses of caregiving.
HHS estimates lost income due to this trend is $522 billion annually!
Key goals of the initiative include:
- Actions to increase awareness of and outreach to family caregivers
- Actions to advance partnerships and engagement with family caregivers
- Actions to strengthen services and supports for family caregivers
- Actions to ensure financial and workplace security for family caregivers
- Actions to expand data, research, and evidence-based practices to support family caregivers
HHS plans to update this new strategy every two years based on public input.
Learn more about the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council at acl.gov/RAISE.
Homethrive applauds HHS for taking this bold step!
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