National Family Caregivers Month, 2010

Proclamation 8593 of October 29, 2010

National Family Caregivers Month, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every day, family members, friends, neighbors, and
concerned individuals across America provide essential
attention and assistance to their loved ones. Many
individuals in need of care--including children,
elders, and persons with disabilities--would have
difficulty remaining safely in their homes and
community without the support of their relatives and
caregivers.

Caregivers often look after multiple generations of
family members. Their efforts are vital to the quality
of life of countless American seniors, bringing comfort
and friendship to these treasured citizens. However,
this labor of love can result in physical,
psychological, and financial hardship for caregivers,
and research suggests they often put their own health
and well-being at risk while assisting loved ones.
Through the National Family Caregiver Support Program,
individuals can help their loved ones remain
comfortably in the home and receive assistance with
their caregiving responsibilities. This program
provides information, assistance, counseling, training,
support groups, and respite care for caregivers across
our country.

My Administration's Middle Class Task Force, led by
Vice President Joe Biden, has made supporting family
caregivers a priority, and we are working to assist
caregivers as they juggle work, filial, and financial
responsibilities. We made important progress with this
year's Affordable Care Act, and because of this
landmark legislation, Americans will be able to take
advantage of the Community Living Assistance Services
and Supports (CLASS) Program. This voluntary insurance
program will help individuals with long-term care needs
to maintain independent living, as well as compensate
family caregivers for their devoted work.

Our businesses and companies can also contribute to
families' ability to care for their loved ones in need.
By offering flexible work arrangements and paid leave
when caregiving duties require employees to miss work,
employers can enable workers with caregiver
responsibilities to balance work and family obligations
more easily. Such efforts impact countless lives across
our Nation, easing concerns and contributing to the
well-being of individuals and families as they go about
their daily lives.

During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor the
millions of Americans who give endlessly of themselves
to provide for the health and well-being of a beloved
family member. Through their countless hours of service
to their families and communities, they are a shining
example of our Nation's great capacity to care for each
other.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 2010 as
National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all
Americans to pay tribute to those who provide care for
their family members, friends, and neighbors in need.

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