Posted by Jack on August 08, 2000 at 19:08:26:

This is info I found on a different board regarding an upcoming legislation about the caretakers of Alzheimer's. I hope it helps.

There's Caregiver Legislation coming up and an Alzheimer's Alert has been sent out.
Caregivers and interested parties are urged to call.

It would support a $3000 tax credit for caregivers.
Pass the Older American's Act to authorize Family Caregiver Support Program,
appropriate $125 million for the Family Caregiver Support Program.
Talking Points:
70% of people with Alz disease live at home with 75% of their care coming from families.

The estimated annual value of the informal caregiving system is $196 billion dollars -
far more than the $32 billion ccost of paid home health care and the $82 billion cost of nursing home care.
Congress can't save Medicare OR Medicaid if this unpaid system collapses.

Any tax money Congress has to spend on long term care should go first to caregivers.

The $3,000 is just a fraction of the actual cost of LTC. consider costs of respite care and Nursing homes..

Family Caregiver support Program will provide funding for respite care -one of the most important services an Alzheimer family needs in order to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities.

Contact Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, speaker
House of Representatives
202-225-2976

Honorable Trent Lott, Majority leader
US Senate
202-224-6353

The President 202-456-1414 between 9-5

Calls or letters before September 15
for address'
http://thomas.loc.gov/

for more info Alzheimers Alert Network
and this legislation
202-393-7737