U.S. Lacks Support Network For Child Caregivers

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 31 Aug 2007 - 16:00 PDT

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While other countries have dedicated "decades to the study of child and adolescent caregivers" resulting "in a network of support services and advocacy groups," the U.S. has focused more on care for the elderly than on the caregivers, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. At least 1.3 million children ages eight to 18 serve as caregivers for a disabled family member, according to a 2005 study released by the American Association of Caregiving Youth and the National Alliance for Caregiving. Many child caregivers who need help often hide the need for or resist assistance "for fear their parents will feel guilty," the Plain Dealer reports.

According to Nancy Law, vice president of program services at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said that while her organization provides services to families in need, "[f]amilies in other situations may not have such a logical touch point. There's no central point for families to turn to." Connie Siskowski, director of AACY, said, "We have a lot of catching up to do" (Teuscher, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/27).

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