To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services, In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority
Staff Name and Phone Number: Angela Struckmann 707-565-5800, Eric Gelntzer 707-565-5952
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution Proclaiming November 2026 Family Caregivers Month in Sonoma County
End
Executive Summary:
The Gold Resolution for Family Caregivers Month recognizes the challenges surrounding family caregiving and honors and supports the immense contributions of family caregivers, particularly those supporting older adults and adults with disabilities.
Discussion:
Every November, National Family Caregivers Month is observed to recognize the value and numerous contributions that family caregivers bring to the lives of the people they support, and to acknowledge the challenges surrounding family caregiving. First observed in 1994, National Family Caregivers Month is recognized by the Administration on Community Living, USAging (formally known as the National Council on Aging), Caregiver Action Network, The National Alliance for Caregiving, and Share the Care. This year’s theme is “I care.”
Caregivers overwhelmingly do this work because they care deeply about the people they take care of day in and day out. Caregiving is very challenging work that often requires around the clock dedication, organization, responsibility, and hands-on care. Caregiving is a big responsibility that includes assisting people with personal care like bathing and dressing, house cleaning and shopping, and providing comfort and companionship to reduce isolation and support older adults and adults with disabilities to live safe and fulfilling lives.
Families are often the primary source of caregiving support for older adults and people with disabilities. In their 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. report, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) indicate that in America, more than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care to their loved ones, which is an economic value totaling more than $470 billion.
While caregivers should be celebrated every day, National Family Caregivers Month provides the opportunity for Sonoma County to publicly acknowledge the amazing and crucial work that family caregivers provide.
Every day in our community, caregivers provide support and assistance to enable older adults and people with disabilities to remain living independently in the community. These caregivers include spouses, parents, adult children, and other relatives and friends.
The statewide In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program administered locally by the Human Services Department Adult and Aging Division supports older adults and people of all ages with disabilities who are very low income and at risk of out-of-home placement to receive caregiver support in their home. Sonoma County has over 9,000 residents who receive IHSS services, supported by more than 8,600 caregivers. Over 5,600 consumers of IHSS receive care from family members.
Across the United States, many individuals struggle to access the affordable, high-quality care they need. Long-term care costs have gone up 40% in the past decade, which results in many Americans - particularly women - staying out of the workforce to care for family members. At least 53 million Americans serve as family caregivers, which translates to one in five Americans providing unpaid family care. In addition, there are nearly 5 million paid direct care workers who are predominantly women, people of color, and immigrants. Over 5 million caregivers provide care for service members or veterans. Caregivers both paid and unpaid often struggle to make ends meet, and across all types of caregivers, many face challenges due to lack of support, lack of training and few opportunities for respite.
The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Area Plan Needs Assessment was conducted in spring 2023 and found that caregiving is a priority concern in our community, with 56% of survey respondents expressing concern about having enough money to stay in their homes and 44% expressing concern about their ability to pay a reliable person to help them.
Our local AAA provides Older Americans Act funding to the North Coast Opportunities Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (RCRC) and the Alzheimer’s Association to provide services that assist family caregivers. Residents can also get connected to services by contacting the Aging and Disability Resource Hub Information and Assistance line at (707) 565-INFO (4636) which is staffed by Adult and Aging social workers. The Older Americans Act Amendment of 2020 established the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which calls for all states, working in partnership with AAAs and local community-based agencies, to have services for caregivers. Services provided by the IHSS program, RCRC and the Alzheimer’s Association in Sonoma County include:
• Information to caregivers about available resources
• Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services
• Support groups and caregiver training to assist caregivers in making decisions and solving problems related to caregiving roles
• Respite care to provide temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities
• The local Master Plan for Aging, which calls out caregiving as a key goal area and provides a compass for attending to the needs of our community as we age.
Prior Board Actions:
11/04/2025: Resolution proclaiming November 2025 as Family Caregivers Month
11/05/2024: Resolution proclaiming November 2024 as Family Caregivers Month
11/07/2023: Resolution proclaiming November 2023 as Family Caregivers Month
11/10/2009: Resolution proclaiming November 2009 as Family Caregivers Month
11/04/2008: Resolution proclaiming November 2008 as Family Caregivers Month
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
No fiscal impacts.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
No staffing impacts.
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None