With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, many readers will be looking for day trips, activities, and patriotic goings on to occupy their three- or four-day weekend. On page 5 of this issue Michelle Byers of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation offers several suggestions for important Revolutionary War sites in New Jersey that offer a history lesson as well as hiking trails and beautiful views. Fireworks, concerts, and other Fourth of July events are included in the day-by-day listings starting on page 24.
We at U.S. 1 will be among those seeking some out-of-office activities. Our office will be closed on Friday, July 1, and Monday, July 4. We will return on Tuesday, July 5, to put the finishing touches on the issue of U.S. 1 coming out July 6.
For business that can’t wait until then, the best way to reach us is by E-mail. To submit information and photos for the calendar of events, E-mail events@princetoninfo.com. To place a classified ad E-mail class@princetoninfo.com. For information about display advertising e-mail advertise@mercerspace.com. And for editorial concerns contact the editor, Richard K. Rein, at rein@princetoninfo.com.
Have a happy and safe Fourth.
#b#To the Editor: Care for Caregivers#/b#
Many of us have been, are, or will be a family caregiver, or are likely to need the help of one someday. Family caregivers are the backbone of services and supports in this country, the first line of assistance for people with chronic or other health conditions, disabilities, or functional limitations.
Family caregivers make it possible for loved ones to live independently in their homes and communities. If not for them, the economic cost to the U.S. health care and long-term care systems would increase astronomically. In 2013 about 40 million family caregivers provided unpaid care at about $470 billion.
Our country relies on the contributions family caregivers make and should support them. Supporting caregivers also helps those they care for, as well as the economy and workplaces that benefit from the contributions. AARP urges Congress to enact the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (S.1719/H.R. 3099). This bill would implement the bipartisan recommendation of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care that Congress require the development of a national strategy to support family caregivers.
AARP thanks Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Tom MacArthur, Bill Pascrell Jr., Donald Payne Jr., and Chris Smith for co-sponsoring this important legislation, and urges other members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation to do the same.
Stephanie Hunsinger
State Director, AARP New Jersey
