Head of U.S. Administration on Aging to Discuss Family Caregiver Support Program at San Diego Senior Center Jeanette C. Takamura, Assistant Secretary for Aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will participate in a public forum with family caregivers and tour the Clairemont Friendship Senior Center in San Diego on Wednesday, April 28. Dr. Takamura will highlight the key role family caregivers play in the lives of their relatives, and the importance of quality adult day care in providing critical support and respite. The Assistant Secretary will discuss the Administration's proposed National Family Caregiver Support Program and the opportunities it presents for serving caregivers of older Americans. The program represents a first step in the creation of a national long-term care policy and is part of the Administration's proposal to reauthorize the Older Americans Act. Thousands of older adults in California have benefited from supportive home and community-based service programs created through the Older Americans Act.
Family members are the major providers of long term care in the United States.
Additionally, almost three-fourths of caregivers are women, many who are older themselves or are employed full time and juggle multiple responsibilities including running households and parenting children. The Administration on Aging directs a national network of state and local agencies on aging, tribal organizations, service providers and volunteers.