National Summit Update
America’s family caregivers do not have access to many proven interventions that could improve their health and lives. As a result, they often suffer needlessly with health problems and stress-related disorders. This is the conclusion of The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI), which is hosting a national conference in October 2007 to call attention to this problem and formulate a national strategy to make more effective programs widely available to caregivers.
According to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, “The United States is facing a caregiving crisis that has far-reaching consequences for every American.”
In a recent interview, Mrs. Carter said, “As the ratio of individuals with caregiving needs to available caregivers continues to escalate, the strains on the health of caregivers and on the nation’s economy are becoming apparent. This problem will only escalate if we do not act now.”
The organization named in her honor is acting now. The RCI will be holding a national summit October 25 and 26 at Georgia Southwestern State University - to begin serious work on solving this problem. More than 300 registrants will be attending the RCI's National Summit and/or the RCI 20th Anniversary Gala. These participants represent 30 states in the United States and some participants are coming from as far as the Republic of Ireland.
Moving Science to Practice in Caregiver Support will bring together our nation’s leading researchers, policy makers and advocates in a national summit sponsored by Johnson and Johnson. Participants will plan a course of action to launch the National Quality Care Network and provide increased access to quality care for ALL Caregivers.
Look for pictures from the National Summit in the November issue of the RCI E-Bulletin.
