AARP Iowa working to pass CARE Act in 2018

In 2018, AARP Iowa is again working with lawmakers, advocates, volunteers and members to urge passage of the Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act, a commonsense policy that increases information, education and support for Iowa’s more than 317,000 family caregivers. A 2015 survey found that 50 percent of Iowa caregivers are left out of hospital discussions about patient care and receive little or no instruction about tasks they will have to perform, such as wound are and medication management, at home after the patient is discharged.

The CARE Act legislation recognizes the important role Iowa’s family caregivers play, including saving the state money by making it possible for their parents, spouses or other loved ones to age in place at home. On Tuesday, Jan. 9, AARP Iowa hosted a teletown hall and live webinar covering the specifics of the 2018 CARE Act and answered a variety of caregiving questions from listeners across the state. To view the hour-long program in its entirety, please visit https://vekeo.com/event/aarpiowa-36846/