IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 473 
Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family Caregivers 
Month. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 18, 2011 
Ms. RICHARDSON (for herself, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. MEEKS, Ms. JACKSON LEE 
of Texas, and Ms. NORTON) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National 
Family Caregivers Month. 
Whereas there are more than 65 million Americans providing 
care for chronically ill, disabled, or aged family members 
or friends with no expectation of compensation; 
Whereas according to studies compiled by the National Fam-
ily Caregivers Association, the value of these services is 
estimated to be $375 billion every year, nearly double the 
$158 billion spent in 2009 on homecare and nursing 
home services combined; 
Whereas in California alone there were 3,419,481 family 
caregivers in 2004, the value of whose time spent in the 
care of family and friends was over $36 billion; 
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•HRES 473 IH 
Whereas 1.4 million children ages 8 to 18 provide care for 
an adult relative, 72 percent are caring for a parent or 
grandparent, and 64 percent live with the person for 
whom they are caring; 
Whereas 20 hours per week is the average number of hours 
family caregivers spend caring for their loved ones while 
13 percent of family caregivers are providing 40 hours of 
care a week or more; 
Whereas 51 percent of care recipients live in their own home, 
29 percent live with their family caregiver, and 4 percent 
live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; 
Whereas 14 percent of family caregivers care for a special 
needs child with an estimated 16.8 million caring for spe-
cial needs children under 18 years old; 
Whereas 78 percent of adults living in the community and in 
need of long-term care depend on family and friends as 
their only source of help; 
Whereas 47 percent of working caregivers indicate an in-
crease in caregiving expenses has caused them to use up 
all or most of their life savings; 
Whereas during the 2009 economic downturn, 1 in 5 family 
caregivers had to move into the same home with their 
loved ones to cut expenses; 
Whereas 73 percent of family caregivers who care for some-
one over the age of 18 either work or have worked while 
providing care, 66 percent have had to make some ad-
justments to their work life, from reporting late to work 
to giving up work entirely, and 1 in 5 family caregivers 
have had to take a leave of absence; 
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•HRES 473 IH 
Whereas the majority of Americans will find themselves play-
ing the role of a family caregiver as the population ages, 
and likewise expect to be cared for in their old age; and 
Whereas the quiet sacrifices made every day by family care-
givers can be alleviated through better integration with 
the American healthcare system and enlightened, long- 
term public policy that prepares family caregivers for the 
challenges they will face: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) honors the work of America’s family care-
givers; 
(2) acknowledges the enormous savings to the 
American taxpayer resulting from their labors; 
(3) encourages all Americans to pay tribute to 
those who provide for the health and well-being of 
their family members, friends, and neighbors; and 
(4) supports the goals and ideals of National 
Family Caregivers Month. 
Æ 
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