Caregiver Legislation Discussions Happening Across Iowa in December

AARP Iowa is taking its show on the road over the next two weeks to talk about caregiving issues with Iowans across the state ahead of the 2019 Iowa legislative session, which is set to begin on January 14. One of the big issues up for discussion is the Iowa CARE Act, which outlines commonsense steps to help Iowa’s more than 317,000 family caregivers when their loved one goes into the hospital and as they transition home.  In addition, AARP Iowa will discuss findings from a soon-to-be-released statewide caregiver survey.

The CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act legislation includes three steps that will help family caregivers when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home. It requires that: a family caregiver’s name be recorded when their loved one is admitted to a hospital; the caregiver be informed when their loved one is to be moved or discharged; and, the caregiver is provided instruction and demonstration of the medical tasks they will need to perform at home.

Iowa is one of only 13 states that do not have a law similar to the CARE Act in place for caregiving families.  No federal laws, rules or regulations—including those for Medicare—define the steps hospitals must take so family caregivers are engaged in their loved ones’ care. Across Iowa, family caregivers spend 295 million hours each year caring for loved ones—a contribution totaling about $3.8 billion in unpaid care. They carry out tasks like managing finances, providing transportation, helping with bathing and dressing, cooking meals and more.

This past September, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds expressed support for a CARE Act in Iowa in a video voter guide interview with AARP Iowa ahead of the mid-term election.

“Our family caregivers are the unsung heroes who give their time every day to make sure that they can adequately take care of their loved ones and keep them home,” said Gov. Reynolds, in response to the question ‘What would you do to provide more support for Iowa’s family caregivers?’ “And that’s why I support the CARE Act, so that we make sure that those that are providing those critical services for their loved ones have the tools that they need to adequately do that.”

The Iowa CARE Act currently has no registered opposition, and is supported by many healthcare organizations across the state, including AARP Iowa, Alzheimer’s Association: Greater Iowa Chapter, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Iowa, American Heart Association of Iowa, Association of Area Agencies on Aging, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Older Iowans Legislature.

The caregiver issues discussions, which will take place in Carroll, Fort Dodge, Marion, Mason City, Osceola, Ottumwa, Peosta and Spencer, are open to the public. See graphic above for dates, times, and locations. Those interested in attending a meeting in their community can RSVP by calling 1-877-926-8300.