HOUSE MEMORIAL 101

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Deborah A. Armstrong

A MEMORIAL

COMMEMORATING FEBRUARY 25, 2015 AS "I HEART CAREGIVERS DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, the population of the state that is eighty-five years of age or older and most likely to need caregiving assistance is projected to reach seventy-five thousand in 2030; and

     WHEREAS, most older adults and individuals with chronic diseases or physical challenges will not be able to remain at home without the help of unpaid family caregivers; and

     WHEREAS, each year an estimated four hundred nineteen thousand adults in the state provide unpaid family caregiving, which equates to an estimated two hundred seventy-four million hours a year and an estimated value of three billion one hundred million dollars ($3,100,000,000) each year; and

     WHEREAS, unpaid family caregivers face many challenges in providing care, such as managing financial resources, managing medications, providing wound and other health care and maintaining a home; and

     WHEREAS, working family caregivers may have to make workplace accommodations or even leave the work force; and

     WHEREAS, the aging and long-term services department is leading an effort to develop a family caregiver state plan; and

     WHEREAS, unpaid family caregivers need access to resources and recognition for their work;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 25, 2015 be commemorated as "I Heart Caregivers Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the AARP New Mexico state office and the secretary of aging and long-term services.

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