An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**A
              **.gov** website belongs to an official government
              organization in the United States.
        **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**A
              **lock** (
              Locked padlock icon) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Skip to contentSkip to navigation **Get help with up-to-date COVID-19 vaccines**ACL's Eldercare Locator and DIAL can connect you to tests and vaccines Announcements A - Z Browse For the Network Search
  Program and Policy AreasColumn 1 - Programs*** COVID-19 ***ACL A to Z: Programs, Networks, & Focus AreasOverviewAging and Disability NetworksAging and Disability Resource CentersAmericans with Disabilities Act National NetworkArea Agencies on AgingAssistive Technology NetworkCenters for Independent LivingProtection and Advocacy SystemsSenior Centers and Supportive Services for Older AdultsState Councils on Developmental DisabilitiesState Units on AgingUniversity Centers for Excellence in Developmental DisabilitiesAlzheimer’s Disease and DementiaConnecting People to ServicesAging and Disability Resource Centers Program/No Wrong Door SystemMedicare Improvements for Patients and Providers ActState Health Insurance Assistance ProgramConsumer Choice and ControlPerson-Centered PlanningSupported Decision MakingTransportation Research and Demonstration ProgramVeteran Directed Care ProgramData ProjectsEmpowering AdvocacyThe President’s Committee for People with Intellectual DisabilitiesEmploymentFor American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native HawaiiansHealth & WellnessBehavioral HealthBrain HealthChronic Disease Self-ManagementFalls PreventionHealth PromotionI Can Do It! (ICDI)HIV/AIDSNutritionOral HealthOpioid CrisisProgram Evaluations and ReportsProtecting Rights and Preventing AbuseElder Abuse PreventionElder Justice Coordinating CouncilHelp America Vote Act ProgramsLegal AssistanceLong-Term Care OmbudsmanFor People with DisabilitiesSenior Medicare PatrolSupporting Adult Protective ServicesResearch and DevelopmentAdvanced Rehabilitation Research and Training (ARRT) ProgramDisability and Rehabilitation Research ProgramField-Initiated Projects Program Rehabilitation ResearchModel Systems ProgramNIDILRR Annual ReportNIDILRR External EvaluationNIDILRR Performance and EvaluationRehabilitation Engineering Research Center ProgramRehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) ProgramSmall Business Innovation Research ProgramSwitzer Research Fellowship ProgramRetirement Planning and Pension SupportSupport to CaregiversLifespan Respite Care ProgramNational Family Caregiver Support ProgramRAISE Family Caregiving Advisory CouncilSupporting Grandparents Raising GrandchildrenSupport for People with Limb Loss, Paralysis and TBILimb Loss Resource CenterParalysis Resource CenterTraumatic Brain InjuryStrengthening the Aging and Disability NetworksAging and Disability Evidence-Based Programs and PracticesDiversity & Cultural CompetencyDuals Demonstration Ombudsman Program Technical AssistanceImproving Business PracticesImproving Quality of ServicesNational Resource CentersProjects of National SignificancePerson-Centered, Trauma-Informed ServiceSuccess StoriesVolunteer Opportunities and Civic EngagementGrantsColumn 1 - GrantsACL’s Grants ProcessApplying for GrantsApplication TipsHow to ApplyFunding OpportunitiesClosed OpportunitiesGrant LifecycleManaging a GrantData, Research & IssuesColumn 1 - AgingOverviewData and ResearchACL DataThe State of the States in Developmental DisabilitiesNIDILRR Publications and ResourcesProfile of Older AmericansIssue Briefings and Other ReadingNewsroomColumn 1 - NewsLatest NewsAnnouncementsACL BlogEvents and ObservancesSpeeches and TestimonyColumn 2 - NewsACL UpdatesReady-to-publish materialsACL LogosArticles, Infographics, and Fact SheetsVideosFor ReportersStory IdeasCommunicating with Older AdultsFOIAAbout ACLColumn 1 - About ACLAbout Community LivingAbout the Aging and Disability NetworksMission & VisionOrganizationOrganizational ChartLeadershipRegional OfficesHistoryBudgetPolicy and RegulationsPublic InputReports to Congress               and the PresidentColumn 2 - About ACLAuthorizing StatutesDevelopmental Disabilities ActOlder Americans ActWorkforce Innovation and Opportunity ActElder Justice ActHealth Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)Help America Vote ActMedicare Improvements for Patients & Providers ActPublic Health Service ActRehabilitation ActWorking at ACLContact Us
 Home
          ACL Blog
          Take Care to Give Care: ACL’s Mission to Support Families and Family Caregivers Take Care to Give Care: ACL’s Mission to Support Families and Family Caregivers
 Newsroom
  

        - Left Nav -

    Latest News
                          ACL Updates
                          Announcements
                          ACL Blog
                                
                
        Ready-to-publish materials
          
                                  ACL Logos
                          Articles, Infographics, and Fact Sheets
                          Videos
                                      
                
        For Reporters
          
                                  Story Ideas
                          Communicating with Older Adults
                          FOIA
                                Events and Observances
                          Speeches and Testimony November 7, 2016
      

            Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
      

            Family caregivers are the backbone of America’s long-term care system and are often referred to as selfless, tireless and courageous. Stepping in to provide care for a friend or loved one can be a rewarding and uplifting experience and reflects the very best in human nature. While family caregivers are all these things and more, they are human nonetheless. They are not immune to stress, fatigue, burnout or illness. In fact, research shows they may be more vulnerable in this regard. We know that, unless family caregivers stop to take a break, to care for their own needs, they are less likely to be able to continue in their roles indefinitely.
The theme for National Family Caregivers Month is especially noteworthy: “Take Care to Give Care.” Nothing could be truer. Anyone who has provided care for another knows the importance of stopping periodically to take care of him or herself, something often easier said than done. Family caregivers must be encouraged and supported at every step to ensure they are taking proper care of themselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually. This year’s theme is also particularly relevant to the mission and purpose of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to “maximize the independence, well-being and health of older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers.”
The centerpiece of ACL’s efforts to support family caregivers is the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). For the past 16 years, the NFCSP has enabled states and communities to build a base of essential services and supports for family caregivers, including much needed information about available services, respite to provide a break from caregiving, and education and training to teach caregivers the skills they need to provide care more effectively. In 2016, the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act expanded access to the NFCSP, making its services available to older parents of adult children with a disability. What is more, a new report (PDF) shows that the NFCSP has been a true catalyst for states and communities to address the needs of family caregivers in flexible, creative and person-centered ways.
This year, ACL continued to make progress in meeting the respite and support needs of family caregivers of persons of all ages with a disability, including those caring for people with dementia. The Lifespan Respite Program, created 10 years ago, received an additional $1 million in funding, allowing ACL to expand the program to two more states and providing supplemental funding to six states, allowing them to provide additional and much-needed respite services. To date, 35 states and DC have received grants to build and expand systems of accessible, high-quality respite services to family caregivers across the age and disability spectrum. The Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program and the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative—Specialized Supportive Services program continue to build and expand dementia capability in states and communities while filling service gaps identified by the National Alzheimer’s Project Act Advisory Council.  Presently, programs in 28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are supporting caregivers through the provision of direct services including evidence-based trainings and evidence-informed interventions designed to support caregivers through support groups and respite services.
As the current Administration comes to a close, my ACL colleagues and I look back on all we as the aging and disability networks have accomplished on behalf of older adults, people with disabilities and the families that support them. We are excited about the future. We look forward to new opportunities to support our networks and to grow and shape programs and services to better meet the needs of families, family caregivers and the people they support.
Find Support for Family Caregivers
Eldercare Locator (from the Administration on Aging)
	Visit the Eldercare Locator website or call **800-677-1116**
Nationwide respite services: ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
Find a local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)Learn More: ACL Programs
National Family Caregiver Support Program
Lifespan Respite Care Program
Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services ProgramNonprofit Organization for Caregivers
Caregiver Action Network (CAN)

                    *Last modified on 06/27/2023*
 Back to Top    What We Do and Why We Do It
ACL was created around the fundamental principle that all people, regardless of age or disability, should be able to live independently and fully participate fully in their communities. Learn more about community living.

FacebookYouTubeTwitter x logo  XLinkedInShare on Other PlatformsSite Support
  

        
      Home
                      Accessibility
                      Disclaimers
                      Contact Us
                      Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                      Privacy Policy
                      Site Map
                      Viewers & Players
                      Vulnerability Disclosure PolicyOther ACL Sites
  

        
      Disability Assistance and Information Line
                      Eldercare Locator
                      ElderJustice.acl.gov
                      LongTermCare.gov
                      OlderIndians.govRelated Sites
  

        
      Grants.gov
                      HHS.gov
                      No Fear Act
                      Plain Writing (on HHS.gov)
                      USA.gov
                      WhiteHouse.gov
                      Vote.govSign up for ACL updates
Receive important announcements, events, and resources via email.
Subscribe
    An official website of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.