AARP Urges Legislators to Pass An Act Supporting Family Caregivers

AARP Massachusetts is fighting to help the Bay State's caregivers and urrging legistlaors to pass An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. The bill, HB3159, is sponsored by Representatives Michael Kushmerek & David Rogers in the House. In the Senate, SB1938 is sponsored by Senator Jo Comerford.

AARP Massachusetts along with legislative sponsors, Senator Comerford and Representatives Kushmerek and Roger hosted a legislative briefing Thursday, May 7, to highlight the importance of caregiving and the need to support family caregivers in Massachusetts.

The Bay State’s 780,000 family caregivers are the backbone of our long-term care system. Family caregivers in Massachusetts provide approximately $15 billion annually in unpaid labor to their loved ones. They provide care ranging from bathing and dressing to paying bills to providing transportation, and their assistance helps save taxpayers billions of dollars by helping to delay or prevent expensive nursing home care and unnecessary hospital stays.

An Act Supporting Family Caregivers will provide family caregivers with a variety of supports including an income tax credit to cover expenses incurred by a taxpayer for the care and support of a qualifying family member; respite care vouchers; unemployment insurance eligibility; addresses workplace discrimination; allows spouses to be paid as caregivers a[JC2] nd establishes a permanent commission to focus on family caregiving needs.

“Family caregivers are stressed and often overwhelmed balancing the physical, emotional, financial and time-consuming demands required to care for their older loved one. We know family caregivers need commonsense solutions that will save them time and money and provide them with more support. This bill will do that,” said Jen Benson, AARP Massachusetts State Director. “Without family caregivers’ support, many older Americans would be forced into costly nursing homes with the government and taxpayers paying the bill (Medicaid)”

"As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of being a family caregiver, I deeply understand the emotional and financial burdens it can place on individuals and families. That’s why I am honored to sponsor this legislation, because supporting caregivers means strengthening our own communities,” said Representative Michael P. Kushmerek (D-Fitchburg). “Family caregivers often balance demanding roles at work and at home, and this bill will allow for a step toward ensuring they have the resources they need. It will empower caregivers to provide essential support to their loved ones while also maintaining their own well-being

“Family caregivers provide care and support for their loved ones, allowing people with disabilities and aging individuals to receive dignified care in their home,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “While providing this essential service, family caregivers often experience hardships including a loss of income if they are forced to leave their job, workplace discrimination, and their own mental and physical health challenges. I am proud to partner with Representative Mike Kushmerek and organizations across the Commonwealth, including AARP Massachusetts, to lead on legislation that supports family caregivers through establishing new financial benefits, allowing spouses to be paid for their caregiving work, expanding unemployment eligibility, and more. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation and better support the caregivers in our communities”

[JC1]Insert along with the legislative sponsors, Senator Comerford and Reperesentatives Kushmerek and Rogers,



[JC2]Insert allows spouses to be paid as caregivers