PRINTER'S NO. 1437
No. 93 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY PICCOLA, EARLL, SALVATORE, BRIGHTBILL, TOMLINSON,
COSTA, HELFRICK, TARTAGLIONE, WOZNIAK, RHOADES, AFFLERBACH,
GREENLEAF, MOWERY, FUMO, O'PAKE, GERLACH, ULIANA, WHITE,
STAPLETON, WENGER, MELLOW, SCHWARTZ, SLOCUM, KUKOVICH, STOUT,
HART AND ROBBINS, OCTOBER 27, 1997
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 27, 1997
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the week of November 16 through 22, 1997, as
2 "Pennsylvania Family Caregivers' Week."
3 WHEREAS, The number of Americans who are 65 years of age or
4 older is growing, with an unprecedented increase in the number
5 of persons 85 years of age and older; and
6 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania trails only Florida and Arizona in the
7 percentage of its population being 65 years of age or older; and
8 WHEREAS, The likelihood of frailty and disability increases
9 among persons of advanced age; and
10 WHEREAS, Many older persons have disabilities that leave them
11 in need of help with such daily tasks as food preparation,
12 dressing and bathing; and
13 WHEREAS, Many older Pennsylvanians prefer to have this
14 assistance provided at home; and
15 WHEREAS, Families help their older relatives with these tasks
16 and provide substantial medical care, household maintenance,
1 transportation and shopping; and
2 WHEREAS, Families who help care for older members face many
3 additional expenses such as home modification, equipment rental
4 and higher utility bills; and
5 WHEREAS, Families providing care for older members must take
6 into account the needs of their aged relatives in many of the
7 decisions they face in their lives; and
8 WHEREAS, The role of the aged spouse as a principal caregiver
9 generally has been understated and overlooked; and
10 WHEREAS, Family caregivers are often physically and
11 emotionally exhausted from the time and stress involved in
12 caregiving activities; and
13 WHEREAS, Family caregivers need respite from the strains of
14 their caregiving roles; and
15 WHEREAS, Family caregivers need information about available
16 community resources; and
17 WHEREAS, The contributions of family caregivers help maintain
18 strong ties across the generations; and
19 WHEREAS, A variety of organizations throughout this
20 Commonwealth seek to provide support for family caregivers; and
21 WHEREAS, There is a need for greater public awareness of the
22 sacrifices made by family caregivers and support for the work of
23 family caregivers; therefore be it
24 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of November 16
25 through 22, 1997, as "Pennsylvania Family Caregivers' Week" to
26 recognize those who honor and sustain older family members with
27 their service.
I23L82SFL/19970S0093R1437 - 2 -