(Pasadena, CA, Monday, December 30, 2019) – More than 41 million Americans provide care to loved ones, including the older adults in our lives. The SCAN Foundation in Long Beach, California will recognize caregivers as everyday heroes during America’s New Year Celebration at the 2020 Rose Parade^® presented by Honda. Their float, titled Hope’s Heroes: Honoring Caregivers of All Generations, gives appreciation and visibility to caregivers and inspires conversations about what people want for their own aging.

Bruce Chernof, president and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, explains the importance of caregivers.

SOUNDBITE #1:

MORE THAN FORTY-ONE MILLION AMERICANS ARE FAMILY CAREGIVERS, AND THEY ARE EVERYDAY HEROES. THEY REPRESENT ALL GENERATIONS AND COME FROM EVERY BACKGROUND. WITH THE NUMBER OF OLDER ADULTS DOUBLING BY THE YEAR TWENTY-FORTY, MORE OF US WILL BECOME CAREGIVERS TO THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER. WE WANT TO HONOR THESE HEROES, AND USE THEIR STORIES AS POIGNANT REMINDERS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT EACH OF US WANTS AS WE AGE.

Gretchen Alkema, vice president of policy and communications, adds.

SOUNDBITE #2:

ONE-IN-THREE MILLENNIALS IN THE U.S. PROVIDE CAREGIVING SUPPORT TO OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS. MANY OF THESE YOUNG CAREGIVERS POSTPONE EDUCATION, WORK, AND PERSONAL GOALS TO PROVIDE CARE. MORE AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF CAREGIVING IS NEEDED, BECAUSE IT HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON SO MANY LIVES. BY RAISING UP CAREGIVER STORIES, WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT EACH OF US NEEDS AS WE PLAN FOR OUR OWN AGING.

Celebrate caregivers and share stories at HonoringAllCaregivers.org.