Declare Family Caregivers Month

Senate Resolution No. 187 BY: Senator RIVERA MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Family Caregivers Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues which affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Family Caregivers Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Family Caregivers Month; and WHEREAS, Every day, compassionate Americans devote time, energy, and resources to ensure that family members who are disabled, elderly, chronically ill, or injured can remain in the stability and comfort of familiar surroundings; and WHEREAS, During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor those whose extraordinary selflessness provides others with independence and comfort; and WHEREAS, The unselfish devotion of family caregivers affirms the importance of respecting the dignity of life in all stages, and underscores the importance of the family unit; and WHEREAS, Family caregivers empower their spouses, parents, and siblings to maintain ties with family, friends, and community; they also enable their loved ones to live with a measure of independence, sense of security, and peace of mind; and WHEREAS, Many family caregivers provide innumerable services to people in need, including meal preparation, shopping, finance management, transportation, and companionship; in addition, they often manage both simple and complex healthcare issues, and coordinate medical appointments to ensure continuity of care; and WHEREAS, Caregivers must often be available around the clock, which can require them to forgo or postpone priorities for their own lives; through sacrificial love, caregivers endure emotional, physical, and financial strain for the sake of another; and WHEREAS, In order to successfully address the challenges of a surging population of older adults and others who have significant needs for long-term services and supports, the State enacted the C.A.R.E. Act (Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act), which requires hospitals to notify, offer to meet with, and train a patient designated caregiver prior to patient discharge, thereby enabling caregivers to provide competent post-hospital care to their family and other loved ones, at minimal cost to the taxpayers of this State; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Family Caregivers Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.