Senate Resolution No. 187

BY: Senator RIVERA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
November 2019, as Family Caregivers Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
issues which affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as Family Caregivers
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Family Caregivers Month; and

WHEREAS, Every day, compassionate Americans devote time, energy, and
resources to ensure that family members who are disabled, elderly,
chronically ill, or injured can remain in the stability and comfort of
familiar surroundings; and

WHEREAS, During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor those
whose extraordinary selflessness provides others with independence and
comfort; and

WHEREAS, The unselfish devotion of family caregivers affirms the
importance of respecting the dignity of life in all stages, and
underscores the importance of the family unit; and

WHEREAS, Family caregivers empower their spouses, parents, and
siblings to maintain ties with family, friends, and community; they also
enable their loved ones to live with a measure of independence, sense of
security, and peace of mind; and

WHEREAS, Many family caregivers provide innumerable services to
people in need, including meal preparation, shopping, finance
management, transportation, and companionship; in addition, they often
manage both simple and complex healthcare issues, and coordinate medical
appointments to ensure continuity of care; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers must often be available around the clock, which
can require them to forgo or postpone priorities for their own lives;
through sacrificial love, caregivers endure emotional, physical, and
financial strain for the sake of another; and

WHEREAS, In order to successfully address the challenges of a
surging population of older adults and others who have significant needs
for long-term services and supports, the State enacted the C.A.R.E. Act
(Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act), which requires hospitals to
notify, offer to meet with, and train a patient designated caregiver
prior to patient discharge, thereby enabling caregivers to provide
competent post-hospital care to their family and other loved ones, at
minimal cost to the taxpayers of this State; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as
Family Caregivers Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.