House Committee Approval of CARE Act Praised by AARP Pennsylvania

AARP Pennsylvania applauded members of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee for today unanimously approving the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act that will help 2.7 million state residents currently caring for an aging parent or loved one at home.

Sponsored by Rep. Hal English (R-30), HB 1329 recognizes the critical role family caregivers play in keeping loved ones out of costly institutions and will reduce the likelihood of unnecessary hospital readmissions. The legislation features three key provisions:

• That a caregiver be designated upon a senior’s hospital admission
• That the facility notify the caregiver of the discharge plan
• That the facility provide an explanation and live instruction of all medical tasks – such as medication management, injections, wound care, and transfers – that the family caregiver will perform at home.

“Most seniors who receive assistance at home rely exclusively on unpaid family caregivers for help,” said AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh. “These family caregivers have a huge responsibility and deserve additional support to safely help older Pennsylvanians stay at home.”

Johnston-Walsh said similar legislation was already approved in 14 states. AARP studies show the CARE Act is needed because:

• Most care recipients (69%) did not have a home visit by a health care professional after discharge from the hospital.
• Almost half (46%) of family caregivers perform medical or nursing tasks for their loved ones with multiple chronic physical and cognitive conditions.
• Three out of four (78%) who provide these medical or nursing tasks manage medications, including administering intravenous fluids and injections.
• Most family caregivers report that they received little or no training to perform these tasks.

“The overwhelming majority of older Pennsylvanians want to live independently at home,” said Johnston-Walsh. “AARP strongly supports this common sense legislation and urges lawmakers to pass the CARE Act and provide much-needed support for family caregivers who help Pennsylvania seniors remain safely at home.”

HB 1329 now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration.