November 8, 2005

To raise awareness on the complex role of the increasing number of family caregivers in Michigan and the needs and issues faced by them, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has declared November as Family Caregiver Month in Michigan.

“Family Caregivers Month is a time to thank and support the valuable work and contributions of the millions of family caregivers nationwide and throughout Michigan,” Granholm said in her Executive Declaration.

According to the 2000 census, Michigan has nearly 1.6 million people over the age of 60, representing 16 percent of the total population. As this population increases, the number of people needing care will also rise. In addition, grandparents also represent a large population of caregivers. The 2000 census also reported 2.4 million of the 5.8 million grandparents living with their grandchildren are the primary caretakers of their grandchildren under the age of 18.

Family caregivers provide support daily or occasionally, and assist with services such as bathing, banking, shopping, food preparation and medical care. As a result, caregiving has the potential to impact the health, work, family, personal relationships, and finances of the caregiver.

It is estimated that more than 60 percent of today’s adult population either is or expects to be a family caregiver. Caregivers such as spouses and adult children provide the overwhelming majority of homecare services in this country. Approximately one million of Michigan’s citizens provide 1 billion hours of unpaid care annually to ill and disabled adults in the state with an approximate economic value of more than $9 billion per year.

“For caregivers, caregiving means re-evaluating finances, re-evaluating job opportunities and making compromises,” said Sharon L. Gire, Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. “We want to hear from caregivers about their experiences and concerns and we want them to know that the aging network has supports and services available to help.”

A public hearing on the issue of caregiving will take place on Friday, November 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn West in Lansing. The public hearing will enable the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging to communicate directly with citizens and advocates regarding barriers and possible improvements in the delivery of services for caregivers. Written comments should be mailed to: Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, 7109 West Saginaw, First Floor, Lansing, MI 48917 or faxed to (517) 373-4092 before May 20, 2006.

For more information, please contact the Office of Services to the Aging at 517-373-8230.