AARP Eye Center
A new state law backed by AARP Kansas will help ease the transition from hospital to home for patients and their caregivers, beginning next year.
The Kansas Lay Caregiver Act, also called the CARE Act, will allow every hospital patient to designate a caregiver. Hospital staff will record the caregiver’s contact information and keep that person informed about discharge plans. In addition, the hospital will prepare the caregiver for follow-up medical tasks to be done at home.
About 345,000 Kansans serve as unpaid caregivers, providing about $3.8 billion worth of services per year.
The law will take effect July 1, 2018, to allow time for a public education campaign. AARP will work with the Kansas Hospital Association to inform hospital workers and all Kansans about the law.
For more information, go to aarp.org/ks or call 866-448-3619 toll-free.