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STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
_____
JOINT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT FAMILY CAREGIVERS IN
MAINE
WHEREAS,
edge of this trend; and
WHEREAS,
and 100s; and
WHEREAS,
as they age; and
WHEREAS,
majority of them will want to receive this care in their homes and communities; and
WHEREAS,
comes from family members, friends or other unpaid caregivers, and nearly half of all
caregivers who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer's disease or
another dementia; and
WHEREAS,
or neighbor who has a significant relationship with, and who provides a broad range of
assistance to, an adult dealing with the challenges of age, illness, injury or chronic or disabling
conditions; and
WHEREAS, currently, there are 166,000 family caregivers in Maine; and
WHEREAS,
unpaid care annually, which can be valued at nearly $2,920,000,000; and
WHEREAS,
annually in caring for their loved ones; and
WHEREAS,
with Alzheimer's disease, providing an estimated 87,000,000 hours of unpaid care annually at
a value of $1,911,000,000; and
WHEREAS,
demands of dementia caregiving often result in physical and mental health problems among
caregivers themselves; and
WHEREAS,
population ages, and the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will continue to rise significantly,
nearly doubling by 2050; and
WHEREAS,
of family caregivers, including the Alzheimer's disease and related dementia state plan, the
Respite for ME program and the paid family and medical leave benefits program; and Page 2 - 132LR2445(01)
WHEREAS,
a loved one, while others are forced to leave the workforce, for a period of time or permanently,
to provide care; and
WHEREAS,
activity as a result of family caregivers dropping out of the labor force due to care challenges;
and
WHEREAS,
need care has already begun a steep decline; and
WHEREAS,
personal care attendants and home health aides cannot meet the current or projected demand
for care in Maine, and this shortage results in family caregivers leaving the workforce
temporarily or permanently; and
WHEREAS,
on Wheels, Adult Day Services and housing with services, challenges older people who wish
to remain at home and their caregivers to find the help they need; and
WHEREAS,
the need to recognize and support family caregivers is the most significantly overlooked
challenge facing the United States; and
WHEREAS,
care to loved ones, allowing Maine citizens to safely and comfortably age in their own homes,
helping to preserve communities and avoiding the expense of institutional care; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Legislature
now assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, support the
review of state policies and programs for their effectiveness in addressing the needs of family
caregivers, professional caregivers and the loved ones they care for and recognize February 21,
2025 as National Caregivers Day; and be it further
RESOLVED: That a suitable copy of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary
of State, be transmitted to the Department of Health and Human Services.