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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING CAREGIVERS AS KEY PARTNERS IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE
WHEREAS, a caregiver assisting a spouse, partner, family member, friend, or neighbor, is known as an informal caregiver and is often an unpaid individual involved in assisting others with activities of daily living and/or medical tasks; and
WHEREAS, according to the most recent report from The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP published in 2020, there are 53 million people providing unpaid care in the U.S. with family caregivers now encompassing more than one in five Americans; and
WHEREAS, caregiving remains an activity that occurs among all generations, racial/ethnic groups, income or educational levels, family types, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Three in 5 caregivers are women (61 percent) and 2 in 5 are men (39 percent). Six in 10 caregivers report being non-Hispanic White (61 percent), 17 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 14 percent non-Hispanic African American or Black, 5 percent Asian American and Pacific Islander, and 3 percent some other race/ethnicity, including multiracial; and
WHEREAS, while most caregivers of adults care for one person (76 percent), 24 percent care for two or more adults, up significantly from 18 percent in 2015, which suggests a nation of Americans who continue to step up to provide unpaid care to family, friends, and neighbors who might need assistance due to health or functional needs; and
WHEREAS, the growth in caring for an adult relative is up markedly among African American caregivers (88 percent compared to 77 percent in 2015) and Hispanic caregivers (92 percent vs. 85 percent in 2015). The youngest caregivers are also more often caring for an adult relative (91 percent) than in 2015 (85 percent); and
WHEREAS, the three most common problems or illnesses cited by caregivers identifying the recipient’s main problem or illness that causes them to need care include “old age” (16 percent), mobility issues (12 percent), and Alzheimer’s or dementia (11 percent); and
WHEREAS, there are an estimated 641,000 adults aged 60 and older with cognitive and other disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury, among others requiring care from caregivers. Families are still the primary caregivers for adults with developmental disabilities and are themselves aging. About 76% of individuals with developmental disabilities reside at home. The number of adults with disabilities is projected to double to 1,242,794 by 2030, coinciding with the aging population of baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964; and
WHEREAS, caregivers report significantly worse health across all hours of care and ages of recipients; among both low- and high-income caregivers; among all marital statuses; and among both those who had a choice and those who had no choice in providing care. Furthermore, the economic effects of family caregiving can result in financial strain with substantial short-term and long-term financial consequences. About one in five caregivers report experiencing high financial strain as a result of providing care; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, there were 1,290,000 family caregivers in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, family caregivers are key partners in the provision of health care and long-term services and support; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon this government to optimize the wellbeing of family caregivers by strengthening their recognition among society, highlighting the value of family caregivers, and leveraging resources from county agencies to reach family caregivers in diverse communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize and support family caregivers as key partners in the provision of health care and long-term services and support for older and aging adults; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby commit to promote and expand access to programs, services, and support for family caregivers by adopting policy, funding and system enhancements, and coordinating services for family caregivers; and by increasing awareness among county government staff and county residents about the breadth of caregiving and value of caregiver’s sacrifice.
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