We must support caregivers

I grew up with parents who showed me the values of caregiving and advocating for others. My dad donated dentistry care to those in need, and my mom devoted her life to care for my sister, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was almost 2 years old. The expensive healthcare costs destroyed their ability to be financially stable.

I recognized then how easily families can be financially devastated and emotionally exhausted when they are the primary caregivers of their loved ones. I watched my parents fight to protect our family, and I learned how essential it is to advocate for people’s rights.

{mosads}I also saw how important it was to provide that care, to be there for your family no matter what. It is a family value and one that is common in my state of New Mexico, where Hispanics make up 48 percent of the population, the largest percentage of Hispanics in any state. New Mexico is a place where family ties are sacred.

Today, I am my mother’s caregiver. I’m fortunate in that I could build a casita next to my house so my 76-year-old mother can have independence and can receive daily care. I can support her with personal care in addition to ensuring she’s receiving the medical care she needs. I can make sure I pay her bills and get her to her appointments on time. And any time I’m not there, I worry about it all.

I am one of 44 million Americans providing care to seniors and adults with disabilities. Among all ethnicities, Hispanics are the most likely to be caregivers, followed by African-Americans. We choose to do this, and we are gratified and humbled to play such an important, necessary role in our families’ lives. But we also need to work and care for our extended families without worrying about what’s happening at home. And there are not enough of us, because the demand for caregiving keeps growing.

Seniors are expected to make up 19 percent of the total population by 2030. That’s more than 72 million older Americans. Caregiving needs extend beyond seniors, too; people with disabilities require just as much care. Those Americans and their caregivers need another layer of support, and I plan to give them that.

I have introduced the National Care Corps Act to create a national service program, modeled after the Peace Corps, that will shore up our caregivers and provide dignified, respectful care to those who need it. We will provide young people with educational awards, cover their living expenses and train them to provide nonmedical care.

I can imagine the relief I would feel if someone came who just cared about my mom, was interested in her life story, who drove her to a doctor’s appointment and alerted me if her meds didn’t show up. Those real-life issues happen, and those kinds of things are enough to destroy my mom’s emotional well-being and harm her physical health.

Care Corps will build a healthcare workforce and create powerful intergenerational relationships. It will give those devoted caregivers peace of mind, knowing their loved one is safe and cared for by a vital volunteer. It will give caregivers and the person receiving care a break from the financial, emotional and physical toll of 24-hour caregiving.

Care Corps has been endorsed by a broad range of organizations focused on the needs of caregivers, seniors and individuals with disabilities. We also have more than 50 congressional members serving on a new bicameral, bipartisan caucus that has sought funding to support caregivers. We are bringing more attention to caregiving issues and creating an environment for productive policy discussions. 

I’m not going to rest until our caregivers have more support. I am going to keep working on passing legislation that protects our families, and I’m going to keep caring for my mom. 

Lujan Grisham represents New Mexico’s 1st District. She sits on the House Agriculture, Budget and Oversight committees.