November 2025: Epilepsy Awareness Month

WHEREAS, many Michigan residents have served as family caregivers and/or benefited from the support of family caregivers; and,

WHEREAS, an estimated 1.2 to 1.7 million Michigan residents provide more than 1.12 billion hours of unpaid care for older adults, service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those with serious and/or chronic health conditions; and,

WHEREAS, a person aged 60 or older resides in 38% of Michigan households, and 29% of Michigan adults have a disability, with the demand for family caregivers expected to increase as the population ages; and,

WHEREAS, caregiving responsibilities can pose a barrier to remaining in the workforce, with data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging indicating that 19% of Michigan residents over the age of 50 who work disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that they can take time off work to deal with caregiving responsibilities; and,

WHEREAS, direct care workforce shortages result in more hours of care and higher-intensity care by family and other unpaid caregivers, who are often relatives, but may also be friends, neighbors, and co-workers; and,

WHEREAS, resources for family caregivers such as support groups, workshops, and toolkits are available through Area Agencies on Aging, disability advocacy organizations, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, and community-based services; and,

WHEREAS, the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan is launching Mi Caregiver Connection, a website and virtual resource center to provide important information, connections to a local Area Agency on Aging, and support to family caregivers; and,

WHEREAS, nationally and in Michigan, in honor and recognition of dedicated caregivers whose activities and supports benefit countless people and help them live independently at home, we acknowledge the importance of family and friends who provide care and attention to those in need;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 2025 as Family Caregivers Month in Michigan.