House approved long term caregiver’s respite funding bill

A New Jersey congressman whose father spent six years caring for hisailing wife wanted other families in similar situations to havesomeplace to turn when a primary caregiver needs a break. RepublicanMike Ferguson got that wish Wednesday when the House approved his”Lifespan Respite Care Act,” which provides $289 million over fiveyears for states to train volunteers and provide other services to anestimated 50 million families caring at home for adults and childrenwith special needs.

Ferguson’soffice said the Senate is poised to vote on the issue before the lameduck session is over. The measure passed in the House by a voice vote.

Ferguson said his siblings and other relatives pitched in to carefor his mother when his father, Thomas, needed a break. RobertaFerguson died in 2003 after battling multiple myeloma.

“I thank my dad for providing my family and many others with aremarkable example of the loving care that a family caregiver canprovide,” Ferguson said on the House floor. “Today’s action by thisHouse represents an important victory nationwide to family caregivers.Your selfless sacrifice is appreciated and help is on the way.”

The bill would provide one-stop shopping of sorts for familycaregivers to find respite care. The money allocated by the bill wouldbe doled out by Health and Human Services to states to administer inthe forms of grants.

Read more at AP/Yahoo.  Posting submitted by Prof. Katherine Pearson.