Let's Hope Obama Really Cares

A recent New York Times Editorial, "Caring for the Caregivers", concisely states why I'm so passionate about this topic.

Home health aides are vital to the health and well-being of many families in the US, and must be treated with care themselves. The work they do is difficult, tiring, and frustrating; and at the end of the day, the pay is often inadequate or unjustly withheld by unscrupulous home health agencies who hire undocumented workers.

Family members who provide home care for aging parents or other relatives represent another valuable resource that must be nurtured - not squandered. Family caregivers are by far the most cost effective means of dealing with a major health care problem in this country, but they can easily find themselves suffering from burn-out in this stress-prone situation. These people need our support and Congress and the Obama Administration must find a way to provide funding to help sustain the health of these caregivers. Some funds are available to pay for respite care, but I would bet very few family caregivers would have any idea how to apply for such assistance.

Let's hope that the health care reforms planned by the Obama Administration will recognize the value and support the needs of the family caregiver.