Daily HealthBeat Tip

Older adoptee, new happiness

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Sharing your life with someone who could use your love and guidance is a wonderful treasure. And with more than half a million children waiting for adoption, there are plenty of opportunities to help children grow up in safe, stable and loving homes. Children of all ages, because almost half of kids awaiting adoption are nine years of age or older.

Older kids bring something special to their new families � their personalities, points of view, inner resources. Plus, their interests � school, sports, scouts. So adoptive parents' own lives expand as they join in their children's activities. Dr. Wade Horn, HHS' assistant secretary for children and families:

"With older children, parents who adopt them find that they are very readily integrated into community life." (six seconds)

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: September 20, 2005

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