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Health Workforce and Providers

Volume 28, Issue 482                                                                              January 8, 2007

Caring for Caregivers

In late December, President George W. Bush signed a bill (HR 3248) that will provide states with $289 million over five years to provide respite care to caregivers. Funds from the Lifespan Respite Care Act may be used to develop or enhance respite care at the state and local levels; provide services to family caregivers; recruit and train workers and volunteers; provide information to caregivers about available support services; and assist caregivers in gaining access to such services. Respite care may come in many forms, including tutoring developmentally disabled children, feeding and dressing an elderly parent or transporting someone to a doctor's appointment. “This important law not only recognizes the selfless sacrifices made by millions of family caregivers but also sends them an important message—help is on the way,” bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson told Long Island Newsday.