FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2021
Contact:
Neil Sroka, Communications Director
neil@paidleave.us or 847-219-8491
Arizonans, AARP, Paid Leave for the US (PL+US) discuss the Caregiving Crisis, need for paid leave in the U.S.
Timely roundtable discussion featured personal caregiving stories, highlighted how a national paid leave policy is vital for aging in America
This afternoon, Paid Leave for the US (PL+US) hosted a virtual roundtable discussion to spotlight the untold stories of millions of aging adults and family caregivers across Arizona, a state representing the broader caregiving crisis happening across the United States.
As Congress debates potential national paid leave policy, this timely discussion featured opening remarks from AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond, and stories from veteran, small business owner, and Latinx caregivers, moderated by PL+US Executive Director Molly Day.
Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, opened the discussion by highlighting the challenges facing working Americans who are also caring for older parents, spouses and other loved ones. “More than 60% of America’s 48 million family caregivers are also in the paid workforce,” said LeaMond. “They are juggling a lot and need help keeping all the balls in the air. Having the flexibility to take some time off work – without risking their jobs or their paychecks – would make a tremendous difference.”
Molly Day, Executive Director at PL+US, moderated the conversation with caregivers on how a lack of paid leave affects veterans, small business owners, and Latinx communities. “Across America, millions of families – 1 in 6 Americans – struggle to provide care for an aging relative, and this population will double over the next twenty years. We have to take a hard look at our policies currently in place and rebuild our structures and systems to better support our aging loved ones and their caregivers, and that starts with passing a national paid leave policy,” said Day.
Panelists participating in the event included Arizona State Rep. Diego Espinoza, a small business owner providing care for his aging father; Consuelo Hernandez, a Sunnyside governing board member who juggles caregiving responsibilities for both of her parents with her siblings; and David Lucier, a veteran who also serves as President of the Arizona Veterans & Military Leadership Alliance.
Left to Right: AARP’s Nancy LeaMond, PL+US’s Molly Day, and panelists Consuelo Hernandez, David Lucier, and Arizona State Rep. Diego Espinoza discuss the need for paid leave in the wake of the nation’s caregiving crisis during Tuesday’s conversation.
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About PL+US
PL+US (Paid Leave for the United States) is the national campaign to win paid family and medical leave for every working person in the US. PL+US has helped win paid family leave for nearly 8 million people through our transformative workplace campaigns at companies like Walmart, Starbucks, CVS and more in partnership with employees, employers, consumers, and investors. Learn more at: http://paidleave.us/