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This bill would recognize February 16, 2018, as National Caregivers Day.

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WHEREAS, National Caregivers Day was founded by the Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies in 2015; and

WHEREAS, National Caregivers Day is observed annually on the third Friday in February. It was first observed on February 19, 2016; and

WHEREAS, A caregiver is a relative, partner, friend, or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person, an adult, or a child with a chronic or disabling condition; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers are diverse and come from every age, gender, socioeconomic, and racial or ethnic group; and

WHEREAS, National Caregivers Day recognizes and honors those women and men dedicated to providing quality, compassionate care and services every day; and

WHEREAS, A 2015 report by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Public Policy Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving found there are an estimated 43.5 million caregivers in the United States who provide unpaid care to adults and children each year; and

WHEREAS, According to an AARP report, Valuing the Invaluable, in 2013, there were an estimated 4.45 million caregivers in California, who provided more than 4.1 billion hours of care per year for an estimated total economic value of $57.7 billion each year; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers serve diverse populations, with the majority serving seniors who require assistance; and

WHEREAS, In California, the number of seniors 60 years of age and older continues to grow rapidly. Between 1970 and 2016, the number of older adults in the state grew from 2.5 million to 7.8 million, a 212-percent increase; and

WHEREAS, Others are caregivers to the states 62,035 abused and neglected children and youth in foster care; and

WHEREAS, There are also many devoted military caregivers who tend to members of our Armed Forces when they return home and face disabling physical injury or mental illness; and

WHEREAS, There are 5.5 million spouses, parents, children, and friends caring for wounded, ill, and injured military personnel and veterans; and

WHEREAS, Caregiving responsibilities fall more heavily on women, many of whom are older with health problems of their own; and

WHEREAS, Six out of 10 family caregivers in the country are women; and

WHEREAS, One in three female caregivers provide more than 20 hours of care per week; and

WHEREAS, Sixty percent of female caregivers report high levels of physical strain, and 41 percent report high levels of emotional stress, as a result of caregiving; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature has taken steps to better serve the needs of caregivers through policy that supports workplace flexibility, such as paid family leave, unemployment insurance for family caregivers, and paid sick days; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes February 16, 2018, as National Caregivers Day; and be it further

Resolved, On National Caregivers Day, the Legislature reaffirms its support for those who give themselves to be there for family, friends, and neighbors in challenging times; and be it further

Resolved, The women and men who put their loved ones before themselves show incredible generosity every day, and the Legislature will continue to support them in every task they selflessly carry out; and be it further

Resolved, That on National Caregivers Day and every day, the Legislature encourages all Californians to lift up those who work tirelessly to advance the health and wellness of their loved ones, and to encourage those who choose to be caregivers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.