Printer Friendly Format

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 201-03
July 17, 2003

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG UNVEILS CITYWIDE PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR CAREGIVERS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today launched a citywide public service campaign that will raise awareness among New Yorkers regarding the impact of caregiving for older people and their families, as well as services available to assist caregivers.  Caregivers are individuals who provide care and /or assistance with the activities of daily living to another person.   Department for the Aging (DFTA) Commissioner Edwin Méndez-Santiago and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chairman Tino Hernandez attended the announcement at the Rosetta Gaston Senior Center, located in the New York City Housing Authority Carter G. Woodson Houses in Brooklyn.
 
“The City of New York is dedicated to the support of caregivers as they take on the often difficult task of providing care for an older relative,” Mayor Bloomberg said.  “We want you to remember that you are not alone, we understand the challenges that caregiving entails and this public service campaign is to let caregivers know that help is available.”

Sponsored by DFTA, the bus and subway public service campaign helps readers identify whether or not they are caregivers, and provides information on how to access specialized services.  Eleven of DFTA’s community partners, which are non-profit organizations, will assist in serving New York City’s diverse community of caregivers by providing support to caregivers such as counseling, support groups, training, education, respite care, and supplemental services which include home delivered meals, transportation or shopping assistance.

“The most difficult part of caring for an older relative is often the sense of helplessness and isolation that a caregiver may feel, this coupled with a lack of information about caregiving often prevents people from accessing services,” said Commissioner Edwin Méndez-Santiago.  “It is our intention that through this public awareness campaign, caregivers will come to recognize themselves as such if they haven’t already, and tap into the services and support available.”

Mayor Bloomberg also acknowledged the contribution of the Department for the Aging and the New York City Housing Authority to New York City’s seniors, and their recent partnership initiative whereby NYCHA has assumed financial responsibility of over 100 senior centers and seven Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC’s) programs while DFTA will continue to administer the programs and provide oversight.                     

“The New York City Housing Authority is honored to play a major role in this collaboration which will insure that vital senior services and facilities are funded this year and in coming years,” said Chairman Hernandez.

The number of Americans caring for elderly family members in 2003 has grown to over 27 million people.  In New York City, nearly one out of every five New York City adults provide some type of caregiving and it projected that over one third of caregivers continue to be employed and are raising children while caregiving for older relatives.  Elderly caregivers may also serve as a primary caregiver for a grandchild or other young relative. 
 
The New York City Department for the Aging, in partnership with the United States Administration on Aging, the New York State Office of Aging and community based organizations throughout the five boroughs have established programs and services to assist individuals in their caregiving roles.  These programs and services are funded through the National Family Caregiver Support Program.  For more information on services available to caregivers, call 311 or visit: www.nyc.gov/aging.





CONTACT:

Edward Skyler / Lark-Marie Antón   (212) 788-2958


More Resources
Watch press conference in 56k or 300k