Help is On the Way for MN Caregivers

Family caregivers in Minnesota now have more support.  The CARE Act.

Boffeli, Seth

Nearly 600,000 Minnesotans care for older parents, spouses or loved ones, helping them to live independently in their own homes.  These family caregivers have a huge responsibility, and on January 1, 2017, a new law takes effect that will make life a little bit easier for them.

The CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act helps family caregivers when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home.  The CARE Act requires hospitals to:

• Provide your loved one the opportunity to designate a family caregiver in the medical record.
• Notify the family caregiver when your loved one is to be discharged to another facility or back home.
• Give description and instruction of the medical tasks that the family caregiver will need to perform at home.

AARP Minnesota fought for the CARE Act because supporting caregivers is a top priority for all of us.  We hope you will save this article in case your loved one needs medical care.  That way, you’ll have important information about this new law available when you need it most.

Download Your CARE Act Wallet Card today!

For more information about caregiving resources, visit  aarp.org/caregiving