AARP HONORS STATE SENATOR LOIS WOLK AS A “CAPITOL CAREGIVER”

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SACRAMENTO – To recognize her work in support California’s family caregivers, AARP has named State Senator Lois Wolk (SD 3) a 2015 “Capitol Caregiver,” joining a bipartisan group of state legislators and governors from across the nation. These elected officials have advanced policies to help family caregivers, whose dedication to their loved ones make it possible for older Americans to remain living in their own homes — where they want to be.

Senator Wolk was a key advocate responsible for the passage of Senate Bill 675 (Liu), also known as The California Hospital & Family Caregiver Law, which requires California hospitals to record the name of a family caregiver when a loved one is admitted to a hospital, notify the family caregiver when the loved one is to be discharged to another facility or home, and provide detailed instruction about the medical tasks that the family caregiver will perform.

“We applaud Senator Wolk for providing critical leadership in passing SB 675, which will make the lives of California’s 4.4 million family caregivers a little easier,” said Nancy McPherson, AARP California State Director.  “Senator Wolk has made a tremendous difference, and we are grateful for her efforts.”

More than 4 million Californians provide unpaid care for their older loved ones as family caregivers—work that, if paid, would be valued at about $47 BILLION annually. Family caregivers help with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, managing finances, transportation, grocery shopping and more. Family caregivers often also perform medical tasks like wound care, injections, and complex medication management.

“Family caregiving is one of these rare issues that crosses geographic and political lines, said McPherson. “This isn’t a political or partisan issue -- it’s a family issue.”

AARP staff and volunteer leaders presented Senator Wolk with her “Capitol Caregiver” certificate in her State Capitol office on Wednesday, January 13 ^th.

To also recognize America’s silent army of family caregivers, AARP launched “I Heart Caregivers,” a website where family caregivers can share their stories: aarp.org/iheartcaregivers.