Item 7: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Aging Recommendation Number: 20260909-007: National Adult Day Services Week – September 20–26 WHEREAS, adult day services provide “health, therapeutic, and social services for older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them maintain independence while supporting caregivers” 1 and other supports for older adults and adults with disabilities while helping individuals remain connected to their families and communities; and WHEREAS, National Adult Day Services Week traces its history to 1983, when Congress enacted House Joint Resolution 132, designating the week beginning September 25 as “National Adult Day Care Center Week,” 2 and President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5107 recognizing that adult day care centers enable individuals to receive needed care without institutionalization and “offer needed respite to families” 3 caring for relatives at home; and WHEREAS, adult day services can provide essential respite and support to family caregivers, helping them balance caregiving responsibilities, employment, personal health, and other obligations; and WHEREAS, the 2025 Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study found that “88% of older adult caregivers are themselves age 50 or older” and recommends that programs and initiatives “address caregivers’ dual identities - as both caregivers and older adults” 4; and WHEREAS, the Study further recommends that the community “explore effective methods of outreach surrounding availability of and enrollment in respite care programming and other caregiver supports” 5; and WHEREAS, adult day services are an important component of home- and community-based services that can support independence, social connection, caregiver well-being, and the ability of older adults and adults with disabilities to remain in their communities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Aging encourages the Austin City Council to recognize September 20–26, 2026, as “National Adult Day Services Week” in Austin and to recognize the contributions of adult day service providers, direct care professionals, family caregivers, and community organizations that support older adults and adults with disabilities. 1 AGE of Central Texas, Adult Day Health Care 2 Proclamation 5107 -- National Adult Day Care Center Week, 1983 3 Ibid. 4 Austin Older Adults Quality of Life: Caregivers At-A-Glance, p. 1. 5 Ibid. Page 1 of 2 Date of Approval: _______________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ Page 2 of 2