Sunday, September 7th is National Grandparents Day. On this day, the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) celebrates the continuing contributions of grandparents to their families and communities. We recognize that a growing number of grandparents find themselves in the role of caring for a grandchild, often due to unfortunate circumstances involving the natural parents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately three million grandparents across the country are responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under the age of 18 living with them. In Alabama, the Census Bureau estimates there are 69,742 grandparents responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18. ADSS’s Alabama Cares Program offers support for eligible or qualifying caregivers, like grandparents, by providing services through information, assistance, education, respite, and supplemental services such as assistance with school supplies and summer camp.
The establishment of National Grandparents Day is attributed to the passionate efforts of Mrs. Marian McQuade, who served on the West Virginia Commission on Aging and the state’s Nursing Home Licensing Board. Mrs. McQuade’s goal was to educate the youth in the community about the important contributions seniors have made throughout history. In 1970, she initiated a campaign to establish a day to honor grandparents and in 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a federal proclamation declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. This day has been celebrated every year since in honor of our nation's grandparents.
ADSS encourages individuals, schools, churches and families to honor the contributions grandparents make as role models for future generations.
For more information on the Alabama Cares Program, contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-AGE-LINE (800-243-5463) or visit www.AlabamaAgeline.gov. For more information on Grandparents Day and ways you can get involved, visit www.grandparentsday.org.
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For more information, contact Arleen Alexander at (334) 242-5760 or by email at arleen.alexander@adss.alabama.gov.