Modern Estate Planning Blog

I wanted to post a quick update on my blog expressing my gratitude and appreciation to all of you out there who selflessly care for aging and disabled loved ones for National Family Caregivers Month.

Being a caregiver is a huge responsibility. There are a lot of emotional headaches, financial burdens and pressures that naturally accompany the job. Anyone who takes on this role, whether it relates to caring for their aging parents or someone else in need, has my utmost admiration and respect.

For this reason, I’d like to offer you a special gift for National Family Caregivers Month, and that’s my Sandwich Generation Survival kit which teaches you everything you need to know from a legal, financial and planning perspective about caring for an aging loved one ($1250 value).

You can download that kit free of charge now at http://www.sandwichsurvival.com .

I’d also like to leave you with the text of the proclamation President Obama passed last week in honor of National Family Caregiver’s month, which sums up a number of points and emotions on this topic:

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.

BARACK OBAMA

Courtesy of http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/29/presidential-proclamation-national-family-caregivers-month