AARP Eye Center
After passing the Nevada Senate with a unanimous vote, a bill aimed at helping family caregivers be better prepared to take care of loved ones at home, heads for the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services next week. Known as the CARE Act, SB177 would improve communication between hospitals and caregivers, ensuring the caregiver is notified when a loved one is discharged or transferred, and receives instruction on any after-care required at home – such as dressing wounds or managing prescriptions.
The bill will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27.
According to recent AARP research, more than 500,000 Nevadans serve as family caregivers, providing unpaid care ranging from household tasks to transportation. More than 70 percent of Nevada caregivers also perform complex medical tasks – often with little or no training.
“When caregivers and hospitals work together, everyone wins,” said Hilarie Grey, interim state director for AARP Nevada. “The CARE Act is common sense legislation – ensuring caregivers are prepared to care for loved ones at home, and in the process dramatically reducing the risk of a return trip to the hospital.”
“The steps outlined in the CARE Act will facilitate smooth transitions home for patients, while ensuring continuity of care,” said Bill Welch, executive director of the Nevada Hospital Association. The not-for-profit trade association, which represents hospitals, health-related agencies and organizations across the state, has endorsed SB177.
The CARE Act moves to the Nevada Assembly with the endorsement of more than 50 organizations representing all sectors – from business and civic groups and faith-based organizations to health professionals and disease-specific advocacy groups. Their support underscores the universal impact family caregivers have on the health and wellbeing of all Nevadans.
Organizations across Nevada endorsing passage of the CARE Act include:
| Alzheimer’s Association of Northern Nevada Alzheimer’s Association of Southern Nevada Arthritis Foundation Autism Commission BrightStar Care Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada Family Services Center for Healthy Aging Children’s Advocacy Alliance Colors of Lupus Nevada Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities Consumer Assistance and Resource Enterprise (CARE) Consumer Direct Personal Care Easter Seals Geriatric Specialty Care Health Insight Human Services Network Las Vegas Urban League Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada, Inc. Lawrence Matheis, Retired Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Legislative Committee on Seniors, Veterans and Adults with Special Needs Lutheran and Episcopal Advocacy in Nevada National Multiple Sclerosis Society Nevada Advanced Practice Nurses Association Nevada Advocates for Planned Parenthood Affiliates Inc. Nevada Association of Social Workers Nevada Catholic Conference | Nevada Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation Nevada Commission on Aging Nevada Delegation of the National Silver Haired Congress Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Nevada Health Care Association Nevada Hospital Association Nevada Nurses Association Nevada Public Health Association Nevada Senior Services Nevada Silver Haired Legislative Forum Nevada State Medical Association Nevada Women’s Lobby Nevadans for the Common Good Opportunity Village Personal Care Association of Nevada Phillips Consulting Group Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Religious Alliance in Nevada Senior Spectrum Newspapers Sierra Home Health Southern Nevada Senior Law Program Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease The Continuum The FEMR Group The Senior Sage U.S. Pain Foundation, Inc. Washoe County Senior Services Western Physicians Alliance |
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