Patients, Caregivers: Carry Your Rights

Maryland’s CARE Act went into effect Oct. 1, and the AARP state office wants family caregivers to be aware of their rights under the new law.

AARP Maryland is distributing a wallet card so caregivers can keep the information at hand during a loved one’s transition from hospital to home. The law allows patients to designate a family caregiver and requires the hospital to make reasonable attempts to keep the caregiver informed about discharge plans and to consult with the caregiver to prepare for follow-up care needed at home.

About 771,000 family caregivers in Maryland provide about $9.4 billion worth of unpaid services per year.

For a copy of the wallet card, go to aarp.org/mdcareact.