National Family Caregivers Month, 2020

Proclamation 10112 of October 30, 2020

National Family Caregivers Month, 2020

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each day in homes throughout our Nation, Americans with
chronic or terminal illnesses, functional impairment,
or disabilities receive compassionate care and support
from family members and loved ones. During National
Family Caregivers Month, we salute the more than 40
million people in the United States who serve as unpaid
caregivers. With generous hearts and faithful devotion,
they honor the sanctity of life and affirm the inherent
value of all human beings.

Caregivers work long days and spend countless hours to
meet and anticipate the needs of their loved ones,
often facing challenges that can seem impossible to
navigate. Errands, medical appointments,
transportation, meal preparation, grooming, and
companionship can consume significant time and effort,
especially when caregivers must balance these duties
with the pressures and responsibilities of their own
lives, including employment and raising children. In
spite of all of this, these extraordinary moms and
dads, sons and daughters, siblings, and friends
showcase compassion and selflessness for the ones they
love. Their faithfulness and dedication is indicative
of the generosity of the American Spirit and reflects
the very best of our Nation.

Because of the essential role they play in ensuring the
health and wellbeing of those most in need, family
caregivers deserve our unending support. In 2018, I
signed into law two pieces of legislation, the RAISE
Family Caregivers Act and the Supporting Grandparents
Raising Grandchildren Act, which provide for the
development of strategies and support networks for
family caregivers. Over the last year, the Advisory
Councils created by these acts have made significant
progress toward raising awareness and giving a voice to
family caregivers. The work of these Councils, led by
the Administration for Community Living at the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will
yield a National Caregiving Strategy in 2021 that will
include recommended actions that States, communities,
health systems, and other private-sector entities and
stakeholders can take to improve the lives and
conditions of family caregivers. Working alongside
existing initiatives like HHS' National Family
Caregiver Support Program, we are ensuring that family
caregivers have the resources they need to provide
essential care and support for their loved ones.

Our great veterans living with illness or injury are
one of the largest groups who receive care from family
members and friends. These caregivers, more than 5
million strong, play a vital role in the lives of these
extraordinary men and women who have sacrificed so much
for our country. In order to improve services and
outcomes for patients and families who are dealing with
the stress and uncertainty of caregiving, the
Department of Veterans Affairs established the first
National Center of Excellence for veteran and caregiver
research. The advances made through this initiative,
coupled with the resources and capabilities made
available through the VA MISSION Act, which I signed
into law in 2018, are helping to educate and equip
families with the tools they need to provide even
better care for our Nation's

veterans. America's heroes have earned and deserve our
respect and gratitude, and their caregivers deserve the
same.

Family caregivers provide a vital lifeline of
connection and hope to loved ones during challenging
and uncertain days. These caregivers, who devote
immeasurable time, energy, resources, and heart, need
our understanding, support, gratitude, and
encouragement. Throughout this month, let us remember
these men and women who spend their days caring for
others, and let us pray that they are sustained by
grace and strength as they carry on this important
work.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 2020 as
National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all
Americans to reach out to those who provide care for
their family members, friends, and neighbors in need,
to honor and thank them.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.