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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 11-06-2025; 8-g - Family Caregivers Month and Caregiver Day of Care Proclamation 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 6, 2025 Action Agenda Item No. 8-g SUBJECT: Family Caregivers Month and Caregiver Day of Care Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Aging ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Janice Tyler, Director, 245-4255 Proclamation Kendall McMillan, Aging Transitions Administrator, 245-4278 PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as Family Caregivers Month in Orange County and designating November 8, 2025 as Orange County's Caregiver Day of Care. 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 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, caregivers 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 sixth annual Caregiver Day of Care on November 8, 2025, at the Seymour Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 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 education and guided self-care activities. 2 The Department of Aging recognizes that family caregivers are truly the backbone of families and communities. Many however are under great stress and do not always have the information they need when taking responsibility for a loved one's care. This November, the Department is proud to offer a variety of caregiving related programs and services for individualized and community caregivers, which include: • Special designation in the Endless Possibilities publication for activities and events geared towards supporting caregivers; • R Place social model respite program; • Caregiver Support groups; • Dementia Education programs; • Trainings for community partners and individuals; • Memory Cafes; • In-home caregiver assistance; • Options Counseling; • Memory Screenings; and • A Caregiver monthly E-Newsletter. For many years the Orange County Board of Commissioners has issued proclamations for older adults throughout Orange County. If approved, the Board will join with the Federal and State governments in designating the month of November as Family Caregivers Month as a time to honor family caregivers and care partners for their tireless work in service to their loved ones and as the unsung heroes of both their families and communities. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation. The Caregiver Day of Care event is being supported by donations and grant funding. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY OBJECTIVE 5. Increase access to and awareness of resources and assistance available to residents and businesses. A recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) indicates one in five adults 18 years of age and over will experience caregiving at some point in their lives. This equates to thousands of Orange County residents who may benefit from caregiver support programs. Approving this proclamation would increase awareness of the services offered by the Department on Aging for this population. • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.) The Centers for Disease Control has recently declared caregiving as a public health issue. Caregiving often results in mental, physical, and financial strain, with one in five caregivers reporting poor health, and 80 percent of caregivers reporting out of pocket expenses, averaging $7,200 annually. Supporting this proclamation will raise awareness and demonstrate commitment to improving the health and quality of life of family caregivers. 3 RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation designating November 2025 as Family Caregivers Month in Orange County and November 8, 2025 as Orange County's Caregiver Day of Care. 4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH — NOVEMBER 2025 "CAREGIVER DAY OF CARE" — NOVEMBER 8, 2025 WHEREAS, Orange County estimates suggest there are more than 30,000 family caregivers in Orange County; and WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes that making time for yourself and your family protects a family caregiver's own health, strengthens family relationships, prevents burnout and can enable a care recipient to stay at home up to three times longer. The chance to take a break and re-energize is vital in order for one to be as good a caregiver tomorrow as you were today; and WHEREAS, Orange County understands family caregivers juggle everyday life tasks, such as preparing children for school, managing household responsibilities, and working full or part-time, and as vital members of care teams, have the responsibility of advocating for their loved ones and making decisions that lead to the best care outcomes, whether it be for an older adult with Alzheimer's or related dementia or living with a chronic condition; and WHEREAS, National Family Caregivers Month — celebrated each November — is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country, and celebrating Family Caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month enables all of us to: • Raise awareness of family caregiver issues; • Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers; • Educate family caregivers about supportive resources; and Increase support for family caregivers; NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim November 2025 as Family Caregivers Month in Orange County, recognize a Caregiver Day of Care on November 8, 2025, and urge Orange County residents to take time this month to recognize family caregivers as the unsung heroes of our families and community. This the 6th day of November, 2025. Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners