Family Caregivers Look to Legislature for Help

Tennessee lawmakers, take note: Family caregivers in the Volunteer State are determined to keep their loved ones at home rather than put them in nursing homes. But the caregivers are tired and overworked—and they vote.

In a recent AARP survey of Tennessee voters age 45-plus, more than 70 percent said they have taken time off work or left early to tend to a loved one. More than 60 percent of the caregivers don’t get enough rest and find it hard to balance work and family.

AARP wants to provide relief for the state’s nearly 1 million caregivers and is asking lawmakers to help. One legislative proposal could improve communication between hospitals and family caregivers, so the caregiver is prepared for followup medical tasks when a loved one comes home from a hospital stay.

Another bill would allow nurses to delegate certain medical tasks to workers who provide in-home services. For updates, go to aarp.org/tn.