Local caregiving company receives national recognition Date: 7/26/2010 SPRINGFIELD Representatives from leading aging organizations and agencies from around the nation convened in St. Louis, Mo., earlier this month to honor the 2010 winners of the National Family Caregiving Awards, sponsored by the National Alliance for Caregiving with support from MetLife Foundation.
The programs, which included Multicultural Community Services of the Pioneer Valley of Springfield, were recognized for their innovation, effectiveness and response to caregiver needs in their communities.
"We were thrilled to learn about so many innovative, diverse and effective programs around the country that support and educate family caregivers," Gail Gibson Hunt, president and CEO, National Alliance for Caregiving, said. "The support these programs provide to caregivers is so critical, especially during these difficult economic times when the time and expense of caregiving are so challenging for many caregivers. These programs serve as models for other communities."
Multicultural Community Services of the Pioneer Valley of Springfield was awarded for its Parent Advocacy Group, a support group for single, older parents who provide friendship, support, hope and solutions to each other as they advocate for sons and daughters with intellectual challenges.
Family caregiving has a value to society estimated at $375 billion per year more than the value of home care and nursing care combined. At least 65 million adults provide critical care that helps friends and loved ones with debilitating illnesses remain in their homes and other community settings.
"We are pleased to recognize these programs for the important contributions they're making to family caregiving," Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation, said. "These organizations provide innovative examples that other nonprofits can draw upon to support the efforts of family caregivers."
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