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November is National Family Caregivers Month! Please join in recognizing and honoring family caregivers in East Central Illinois. Celebrating family caregivers during National Family Caregiver Month gives us a chance to celebrate the efforts taken to support the estimated 1.3 million caregivers in Illinois. Their collective effort results in 1.23 billion hours of unpaid care annually at an economic value of $21 billion. Please take a minute to review the following:
- Raise Awareness of Family Caregiver Issues: Illinois Family Caregiver Resolution. On November 10, 2023, the Illinois Family Caregiver Resolution was filed as HR506 by the Illinois General Assembly. This is the first time Illinois has adopted a Resolution recognizing the estimated 1.3 million Illinois family caregivers providing care to care-recipients to help make it possible for older adults, people with disabilities and veterans to live independently in their homes and communities, and they are the backbone of the care system in Illinois and across the United States. We wish to thank AARP, Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging (I4A), and the Illinois Family Caregiver Coalition for launching this effort. View the Illinois Resolution.
- Presidential Proclamation 2023: On October 31, President Biden Proclaimed November 2023 as National Family Caregiver Month. In a press release, President Biden recognized the love and sacrifice of millions of American caregivers by stating… “Let us celebrate and honor our caregivers and renew our efforts to protect their dignity, health and security. Because when we care for caregivers, we honor our American ideals and mover closer to a future where not one in this Nation is left behind.” View the President’s Proclamation.
- Celebrate the Efforts of Family Caregivers: On September 20, 2023, ECIAAA proudly recognized our nine (9) Caregiver Advisory Programs, sixteen (16) Caregiver Advisors (staff), and ten (10) Caregiver Champions (5 family caregivers and 5 grandparents/relatives raising grandchildren/children) during the Annual Luncheon. During FY 2022, the ECIAAA Caregiver Advisory Programs served over 1,100 caregivers and grandparents/relatives raising grandchildren/children. View ECIAAA’s presentation honoring the Caregiver Advisory Programs and Caregiver Champions.
- Educate Family Caregivers About Self-Identification: As a member of the Illinois Family Caregiver Coalition (IFCC) and under the leadership of Amy Brennan, IFCC Director, we are working with many partner agencies to better target the estimated 1.3 million family caregivers in Illinois. We are working on ways to refine our messaging – so help family caregivers recognize that they are caregivers and are eligible to receive supportive services. To support our cause, please join the Illinois Family Caregiver Coalition.
- Increase Support for Family Caregivers: ECIAAA, in conjunction with I4A and the Illinois Family Caregiver Coalition, interviewed twenty-five family caregivers across Illinois. The stories were extremely powerful as they described each caregiver’s journey. In addition, we used the stories to help with I4A’s advocacy efforts to increase funding support through the Illinois General Assembly and U.S. Congress. View the synopsis of Illinois Family Caregiver Stories collected during 2023.
- Reduce Feelings of Isolation: ECIAAA has launched several pilot projects to help reduce social isolation among older adults, including family caregivers. Plus, we currently fund the Stress Busting for Family Caregivers program. In addition, ECIAAA has adopted as a local initiative, the development and designation of Dementia Friendly America Communities in East Central Illinois. Finally, we value our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association in bringing programs and support to family caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.
- Graphics for Social Media Posts: Please utilize the variety of social media graphics down below to promote National Family Caregivers Month with us!
Advocacy Image #1
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Be Safe & Be Well – Happy National Family Caregivers Month!
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