Agenda 11-07-19 Item 4-a - Family Caregivers Month and Caregiver Day of Care Proclamation

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 7, 2019 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: Family Caregivers Month and Caregiver Day of Care Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Aging and Advisory Board on Aging ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Family Caregivers Month and Caregiver Janice Tyler, Director, 245-4255 Day of Care Proclamation Heather Altman, Chair, Advisory Board on Aging PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating November 9, 2019 as Orange County's Caregiver Day of Care, and recognizing November 2019 as Family Caregivers Month. BACKGROUND: November is National Family Caregivers Month, an observance that began as National Family Caregivers Week in the mid-1990s. Former President Bill Clinton signed the first National Family Caregivers Month Presidential Proclamation in 1997, and every president since has followed suit by issuing an annual proclamation recognizing and honoring family caregivers each November. The importance of family caregivers has gained recognition over the years, and the National Family Caregivers awareness week has grown into an awareness month due to former President Barack Obama's proclamation in 2012. Family caregivers fulfill a variety of roles. In addition to becoming experts about their loved ones' health, they act as liaisons with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and legal and financial entities. They prepare meals, perform housekeeping duties, transportation and hygiene duties, and often provide very sophisticated care, including managing complex medication schedules. Caregivers sometimes deal with problem behaviors, and offer socialization for those suffering from long-term illnesses. At this time of year, with holidays approaching, families are often overwhelmed by emotional distress as they cope with losses and memories of past times. Family caregivers who care (mostly) at home for loved ones with debilitating, long-term health conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, often do so with little to no information or training. The Orange County Department on Aging aims to change that by providing several programs and services catered to family caregivers by appreciating the hard work they tirelessly do. In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, the Department on Aging will hold its first annual Caregiver's Day of Care event on November 9, 2019 at the Seymour Center from 10 a.m. — 2 p.m., in an effort to honor family caregivers for caring selflessly for loved-ones. Staff hopes this day of care will provide needed respite for family caregivers, while enabling attendees to engage in wellness, education and supportive services.