Supporting Family Caregivers in California

Caring for a parent, spouse, or other loved one can be a 24/7 job that is emotionally, physically and financially difficult. That’s why AARP works tirelessly to support family caregivers, striving to make your big responsibilities a little bit easier.

RESOURCES

California Caregiver Resource Guides
A starting point to find services and supports in California, these guides can help throughout your caregiving journey.
State of California, Artesia & Cerritos, Downey, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Whittier

AARP Family Caregiving Site
AARP is here to help with information and resources on caregiver life balance, financial and legal issues, care at home, health and more.

Community Resource Finder
Easily access a comprehensive listing of dementia and aging-related resources such as care providers, programs and services available in a specified area.

Quick Tips for Caregivers
Check out how to use simple household items to solve everyday challenges

FIGHTING FOR YOU

New law helps you access healthcare when and where you need it
Tools to help alleviate caregiver stress are very important. That’s why access to telehealth services is critical. By using computers and tablets to connect patients with a healthcare professional remotely, telehealth can help deliver care when and where it’s needed. This year, AARP California helped to pass a new law that requires health insurers to cover telehealth services and helps prevent unnecessary trips to medical appointments, benefitting California’s family caregivers and their loved ones

To join the fight for family caregivers and their loved ones, sign up to be an e-activist.


New Law Creates Caregiver Advisory Committee
AARP’s National Volunteer President Catherine Alicia Georges serves on the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council, created by a bipartisan federal law that AARP fought hard to pass. The Council is charged with developing a national strategy to support family caregivers that includes communities, providers, government, and others. Learn more about the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council.


The California Hospital & Family Caregiver Law:
Aware that many family caregivers are unprepared to provide the necessary care for a loved one who has been discharged from a hospital this law:

• Requires California hospitals to record the name of the 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.
• Requires this information to include, but not be limited to, education and counseling about the patient’s medications, including dosing and proper use of medication delivery devices, when applicable.
• Requires the information be provided in a culturally appropriate manner in a language that is understood by the patient and caregiver, and includes an opportunity for the caregiver to ask questions.
• Requires hospital discharge planning policies to ensure that planning is appropriate to the condition of the patient, meets the patient’s needs and acuity, and is appropriate to the discharge destination.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT A FREE ‘WALLET CARD TO KEEP WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES, SO THAT YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THIS NEW LAW

AARP strongly supports the Paid Family Leave program because family caregivers who work shouldn’t have to choose between caring for a loved one and making a living.

5 Things Californians Should Know About Paid Leave
AARP strongly supports the Paid Leave program because family caregivers who work shouldn’t have to choose between caring for a loved one and making a living.
To learn about the five things you should know about California’s Paid Leave program click HERE


Share your Story

Join the thousands of family caregivers have shared their experiences through AARP’s storytelling initiative, I Heart Caregivers. Your story will help AARP continue to fight for more support for family caregivers, including help at home, workplace flexibility, training, and relief in your state.