Family Caregiver Alliance honored as one of the top High-Impact Organizations in Aging

Pioneering San Francisco Nonprofit "Put Caregivers on the Map"

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) has been named among the top 13 nonprofit organizations in the nation in the field of aging. The rankings were announced by Philanthropedia, which surveyed 88 experts to identify the highest-impact organizations in the country.

The experts — including CEOs, professors, funders, policy makers and directors--averaged 24 years of experience in the aging field. They were asked to identify top aging-related organizations in healthcare, caregiving and long-term support; housing; economic security; and other services, including transportation, civic engagement, socialization and prevention of elderly abuse.

Comments by the experts reflected the enormous respect Family Caregiver Alliance has garnered in changing public policy and initiating, more than 30 years ago, its caregiver services—services still considered models today. The comments recognized FCA's history, scope, and the value of visionary leadership:

• "They put the term family caregivers on the map... . Programs such as the National Family Caregiver support program are a direct result of their leadership and modeling in the field through the California Caregiver Resource Centers.
• "FCA has raised awareness about the concerns of family caregiving at the local, state and national levels. It has led the field in creating services, educating families, policymakers, professionals and others about the issue, articulating policy needs, and identifying the need for research, services and public policy."
• "They have historical commitment to the issue. They understand the issues on the ground."
• "They have produced a lot of quality materials for caregivers and practitioners and have a lot of impact on policy.
• "They are a solid, important organization that has set the standard. They are inclusive with a great web presence as well." See further comments HERE.

"We're thrilled to be recognized as the public voice for caregivers," said Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director of Family Caregiver Alliance. "It's wonderful to be included with AARP, the Alzheimer's Association, National Council on Aging, and the other respected organizations named by Philanthropedia.

"While we may not be as large, our passion for the issues is immeasurable. And since our beginnings in 1977, our mission, our focus, and our services have always been to raise awareness and to support families as they care for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other disabling conditions that strike adults. If we've been successful it's because of the expertise of our truly dedicated staff and our single-minded devotion to caregivers."

Philanthropedia, part of GuideStar, initiated their study when they found that few foundations provide funding in the field of aging. "Only two to four percent benefits seniors of any kind," they note, even though demographics point to an enormous increase in the number of people 65 and older in the US. They decided to conduct research in the field of older adults in hopes of increasing funding "to some of the best nonprofits working in this space."

Based in San Francisco, Family Caregiver Alliance and its National Center on Caregiving offer local and national programs to support and sustain the important work of families and friends caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. A wealth of caregiving advice, resource listings, newsletters, fact sheets, research reports, policy updates, discussion groups, and the Family Care Navigator are available free on the website. Visit http://www.caregiver.org or call (800) 445-8106 for more information.