November is National Family Caregiver Month

I wanted to do something to help other family caregivers this month, so I have decided that creating a series of videos to raise awareness about the needs of family caregivers was a good place to start. My fist video is about the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2007 (H.R. 1161) that is currently tied up in the Department of Ways and Means in the subcommittee on Social Security.

Here is the video I put together on that last night - let me know what you think about it.




Note: I'm a child of the 70's, therefore when I think of bills in congress, I think of the song that Schoolhouse Rock used to run on TV all the time. I mean no harm in using the song here, only utmost respect for the lessons that I learned from those cartoons and jingles and the ability they had to teach without seeming to be teaching.

Know anything about writing campaigns to congress?

Anyone know anything about organizing letter writing campaigns to congress? I want to organize something for November, but Ive never done anything like that before. Any advice greatly appreciated.

My goal is to get people to send letters to congress in November reminding them of National Family Caregiver month and what it means and asking them to please support bills that support family caregivers.

I'm making notes on things that I want to do, such as get a Yahoo Group going for it, set up space on my Family Caregiver Info website next week when I revise it, and make list of congressional people's contact information. I also want to create some sample letters. Does anyone know if e-mails and comments on blogs help any?

Thank you for your time and input. :-)

Grandparents Day and the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2007

Went to check up on H.R.1161, the bill that is intended to amend title II of the Social Security Act to credit caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service.

The bill is caught up in the Subcommittee on Social Security as of March 7th. I can see this bill falling out the same way that H.R. 175: Family Caregiver Security Act of 2005 did. Dead in committee.

We need to poke them people, send them a card and ask them to please support bills like this. If we don't they will never care about it. Maybe a letter writing campaign in November for National Family Caregiver Month? I had meant to suggest one for Mother's Day and Father's Day but forgot about it, my friend suggested looking up when Grandparents day is and everyone send them a card then. Maybe have your kids send in a card on Grandparents day asking congress to please help family caregivers care for grammas and grampas?

"President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. For 2007, Grandparents Day falls on Sept. 9th.." - source: grandparents-day.com


H.R.1161
Title: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to credit prospectively individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service.
Sponsor: Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] (introduced 2/16/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/7/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

PBS: “Follow That Bill” Legislation Watch

I was looking for more information on Family Caregiver bills and I found this site on the PBS.org website: “Follow That Bill” Legislation Watch

The information on the page appears to be old, but I want to be able to find this page again to help me with plans I have for how to help get some awareness raised to the issues facing caregivers. If anyone knows of anything like this that is more recent please let me know. Thanks!

H.R. 1161 Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2007

As family caregivers, one of the biggest sacrifices made is our own future. Without the ability to work it is difficult to provided for our own needs in the future.

This bill, that is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means, was sponsored by Rep. Nita M. Lowey, of New York's 18th district and would "amend title II of the Social Security Act to credit prospectively individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service."

While H.R. 1161 only covers 5 years of provided care, and most caregivers must provide care for a significantly longer period of time, I still think that it is a good sign.

H.R. 175, The family Caregiver Security Act of 2005, slipped off the books in the House of Ways and Means, please, don't let H.R. 1161 fall between the cracks as well. Write to your congressman and ask them to please cosponsor H.R. 1161.

Thank you!

Edit: you can find out up to date information on this bill at GovTrack.US