News + Info: CARE Act

 Learn how AARP is working to help Caregivers with new legislation: the CARE Act.

Oklahoma is the first state to enact the CARE Act, legislation which “requires hospitals to notify the family caregiver if a loved one is to be discharged to another facility or back home; and to prepare the caregiver to carry out tasks such as medication management, injections, wound care and transfers.”  The AARP is working on trying to pass this legislation in eight other states.

If you are one of the 42 million caregivers in the United States, you have likely been caring for your loved one with no training or instruction on how to keep them healthy and safe.  This legislation would change that, giving both assistance and guidance in helping you care for your patient.

 The most recent study from AARP’s Public Policy Institute and the United Hospital Fund finds that:

• 1 in 5 family caregivers is a spouse.
• Spousal caregivers on average are older, have less education and less income and are less likely to be employed than nonspousal caregivers.
• They are more likely than nonspousal caregivers to provide assistance with medical/nursing tasks such as medication management and wound care.
• They are less likely to receive support from family and friends and are far less likely to have home visits from health care professionals and aides.

 
Senate Bill 1536 would require hospitals to:

•  identify a designated family caregiver when a patient is admitted
•  notify the caregiver when their loved one is to be moved or discharged
• provide that caregiver with adequate instruction for the care of the patient following the patient’s discharge from the hospital

This is great news for all of those facing the extreme challenges that caring for a loved one often entails. Take action and talk to your legislators about passing the CARE Act in your home state.

Source: AARP