In 1978, President Jimmy Carter designated the first Sunday after Labor Day, National Grandparents Day. This observance honors the ways grandparents improve the lives of others by sharing their wisdom and life experiences with younger generations. Even as they deal with advancing age, many grandparents continue to take an active role in providing for their family’s needs. In fact, according to the U.S. Census (PDF), more than 2.7 million adults are helping to raise their grandchildren.

        ACL NEWS U.S. Administration for Community Living Department of Health and Human Services Contact: ACL Press Office (202) 357-3507 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This Veterans Day, ACL joins the nation in thanking our brave men and women who have served honorably in the U.S. military (read the proclamation). There are approximately 21 million veterans living today. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, about 9.6 million of these veterans are over the age of 65. In addition, there are nearly four million veterans living with service-connected disabilities.

At the Administration for Community Living (ACL), we recognize the sacrifices caregivers make so the people they love can age with dignity and remain in their homes and communities as long as possible. Caregivers juggle personal and home care, transport their loved ones to medical appointments, and often make tough financial decisions. They offer emotional support to family members and serve as a communication hub between medical practitioners. They do all this while balancing the competing demands of their own families, jobs, and personal lives.

ACL NEWS U.S. Administration for Community Living Department of Health and Human Services Contact: ACL Press Office (202) 357-3507 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A new set of materials to facilitate conversations with older people about brain health as we age is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For the second consecutive year, ACL's collaboration with several HHS agencies has led to a finalist submission for the HHS Innovates People's Choice Award. And, your vote will decide if "Suicide Prevention: What is your role" will receive the top recognition.

February is African-American History Month The Administration for Community Living (ACL) joins President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in recognizing February as National African-American History Month in appreciation of the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent.

Beverley Laubert, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Ohio and past president of the National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs was installed as Chair of the Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative Board of Directors for the 2014–2015 term at the January Board meeting.