Published: September 05, 2008

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Recognizes 'National Grandparents Day'

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HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower today urged Pennsylvanians to salute grandparents during National Grandparents Day, Sept. 7, for providing care, love and the link to family history.

"Grandparents play a major part in a child's life with support, attention and caring. Some of our fondest memories are of special times with our grandparents when they shared their stories and insights," Dowd Eisenhower said. "Many older adults make a great sacrifice and raise their grandchildren to provide the care and influence that is not available elsewhere."

Marian McQuade ofWest Virginia originated the idea of Grandparents Day in 1970 and the yearly day of recognition was proclaimed in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter.

Today's "grandboomers" - part of the Baby Boomer generation - are often active and can offer youngsters a greater range of experiences and they connect with distant children via the Internet.

Nationally, 4.5 million children - more than 6 percent of all children under 18 - live with grandparents. InPennsylvania, more than 80,000 grandparents have responsibility for the basic needs of children in their care with an estimated 160,000 children living in households headed by grandparents.Pennsylvania ranks seventh among states for the number of young residents living with their grandparents.

The Department of Aging offers a resource guide to help grandparents who are raising grandchildren. For details, visit www.aging.state.pa.us and select the link for "Other Helpful Programs."

CONTACT:

Jane Crawford

717-783-1549

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging