WHEREAS, North Carolina has 89 certified Adult Day Service programs in 50 counties providing professional and compassionate services for up to 4,983 adults aged 18 and over with a cognitive and/or physical impairment; and
WHEREAS, these programs enable adults with functional and/or cognitive impairments to receive needed care and services in a community setting, while often allowing their family caregivers the opportunity to work or receive respite from caregiving duties; and
WHEREAS, these programs provide a coordinated program of services including restorative and functional support, rehabilitation, skilled and preventative care, as well as individual and group activities for enriching the educational, therapeutic, and social experiences of participants; and
WHEREAS, these programs provide much needed assistance and counseling for family caregivers and others involved; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress first officially recognized Adult Day Services Week in 1983, and the State of North Carolina has joined Congress in honoring the dedicated individuals and organizations who provide adult day services to people with cognitive and/or physical impairments while also supporting their caregivers; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, certifies Adult Day Service programs across the state with support from the Division of Public Health, county departments of social services, local departments of health, and the North Carolina Adult Day Services Association;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 19-25, 2021, as “ADULT DAY SERVICES WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.