Giving A Voice to America’s Caregivers

When it comes to the eldercare landscape, Howard Gleckman – a Forbes contributor and former senior correspondent of BusinessWeek – is undoubtedly at the forefront of understanding some of the most pertinent issues facing America's caregivers and their families today. From covering Medicare, Medicaid and other regulations affecting long-term care to examining the cost of caring for an ailing parent, his articles offer an oft-neglected, albeit increasingly important, narrative of the emotional and financial strain many caregivers – and their elderly parents – continue to experience on a daily basis.

His most recent article (“A New Way For Family Caregivers To Get Lawmakers’ Attention”) is no exception. The Altarum Institute, a non-partisan, Washington-based research organization, has developed a new initiative called the “Family Caregiver Platform Project” that aims to get family caregiving issues incorporated into the policy platforms of political parties throughout all states in the country. “It is an opportunity for family caregivers to raise concerns that are often ignored by lawmakers…”, Gleckman writes, noting that Altarum is not pushing for a specific agenda but is instead a “one-time, grass roots initiative aimed at achieving a single goal: Getting caregiver issues on the radar in political season.” The importance of such a platform certainly cannot be overstated, as it allows for a discussion on the issues most relevant and pressing in caregiving, led by those who have first-hand knowledge and experience. After all, enabling those who are entrusted with the care of a growing elderly population to share their perspectives and concerns with policy makers is not just common sense, but is a crucial component in helping address – and improve – caregiving in the United States. So, kudos to Altarum Institute and to Mr. Gleckman for being much-needed voices for the 44 million American caregivers and their families in our country today. As the author of the 2009 book, Caring for Our Parents: Inspiring Stories of Families Seeking New Solutions to America’s Most Urgent Health Care Crisis, he offers valuable, informed insights that would do us well to acknowledge.

CareLinx CEO Sherwin Sheik