Caregiving

** High-Priority Nursing Home Quality Legislation Approved **

AARP Texas fought hard this legislative session on issues important to older Texans and their families, and lawmakers listened. From prescription drug affordability and funding for adult protective services to high-speed internet access, and much more, we achieved several victories for Texans age 50-plus.

AARP’s purpose is to empower people to choose how they live as they age. Many policy changes enacted this legislative session will help Connecticut residents do just that.

During Older Americans Month, Governor Jay Inslee proudly announced that Washington state has joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities and USAging’s Dementia-Friendly America networks. This significant step is a testament to our state's commitment to helping our residents age gracefully and thrive in their communities. These designations are the result of a continuous and dedicated collaboration between Washington State’s Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Health Care Authority.

Texas lawmakers today finalized a measure that gives important new rights to millions of unpaid family caregivers. A priority for AARP, House Bill 2425 (companion to Senate Bill 1417) would help Texans when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home. The legislation goes next to the governor’s desk.

In Texas alone, there are more than 3.4 million unpaid family caregivers, many of whom provide complex medical and nursing tasks for their loved ones, and sometimes without adequate explanation or training. It’s not unusual for their tasks to include managing multiple medications, providing wound care, overseeing special diets, and operating high-tech medical equipment and monitors.

With the scheduled end of the 2017 Texas legislative session approaching, AARP continues to fight for passage of several bills that aim to improve nursing home quality, ease the stress of family caregivers, protect older Texans from financial exploitation, and help consumers avoid and respond to surprise medical charges.

Caring for a loved one? Do you need some time to recharge and use your creative side? Caregivers are an important community resource that help their older parents, spouses, and other loved ones age at home—where they want to be!

AARP Connecticut today announced the addition of Natalie Shurtleff as Associate State Director, Advocacy and Community Outreach. Shurtleff will be responsible for developing and executing state, federal, and local advocacy activities on behalf of the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization’s nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut. She will have a particular focus areas involving livable communities, health care, and long-term services and supports issues.

Washington's "Caring for Caregivers" video podcast series features discussions with local experts, community leaders, and caregivers just like you on a range of topics to help you along your caregiving journey.