• More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one. Caregiving in the United States;National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP; November 2009
• The value of the services family caregivers provide for "free," when caring for older adults, is estimated to be $375 billion a year. That is almost twice as much as is actually spent on home-care and nursing home services combined ($158 billion). Evercare Survey of the Economic Downturn and Its Impact on Family Caregiving;National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare. March 2009
• Caregiving families (families in which one member has a disability) have median incomes that are more than 15% lowernon-caregiving families with members with a disability than among families without. Disability and American Families: 2000, Census 2000 Special Reports, July 2000
• 64% of working parents caring for a special needs child believe that caregiving responsibility has negatively impacted their work performance. Care.com and Naational Family Caregivers Association: State of Care Index 2009
• 78% of adults living in the community and in need of leng-term care depend on family and friends as their only source of help. Thompson, L. Long-term Care: Support for Family Caregivers 2004

"Day in and Day out, more than 65 million family caregivers in this country fulfill a vital role on the care team. No one else is in a better position to ensure continuity of care. Family caregivers are the most familiar with their care recipients' medicine regimen; they are the most knowledgeable about the treatment regimen; and they understand best the dietary and exercise regimen. National Family Caregivers Month is a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers"

Spotlight on Diabetes

Millions of Americans suffer with diabetes. Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes, working together with their support network and their health care providers, can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.

There are two major types of diabetes. The causes and risk factors are different for each type:

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults. In this disease, the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin are needed. The exact cause is unknown.

Type 2 diabetes makes up most diabetes cases. It most often occurs in adulthood. However, because of high obesity rates, teens and young adults are now being diagnosed with it. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it.

Diet, insulin, and oral medication to lower blood glucose levels are the foundation of diabetes treatment and management. Patient education and self-care practices are also important aspects of disease management that help people with diabetes lead normal lives.