AARP Montana calls for Caregivers to tell their stories

Personal stories are a powerful way to influence lawmakers and decision-makers on important issues.

 

Glenn cares for his wife, Karen, who was diagnosed with MS in 2012. Glenn takes care of Karen so she can remain in their family home in Kalispell. While difficult at times, Glenn wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Glenn is not alone. He is just one of 118,000 family caregivers across Montana who work tirelessly caring for spouses, parents and grandparents, friends, or other loved ones so that they can continue living independently, with dignity, at home—where they want to be.

With the vast majority of older Montana residents wanting to remain in their homes and communities as they age, the contribution of family caregivers cannot be overlooked. This silent army is the backbone of elder care in the state, providing unpaid care valued at about $1.4 billion annually.  Without the help of family caregivers, more older Montanans would end up in costly institutions – often paid for by the state, through Medicaid.

 

“Today, family caregiving is a common family dynamic. If you’re not a caregiver now, you were one in the past, or will likely become one in the future,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “As we try to reign in health care costs, reduce costly hospital readmissions and trips to the emergency room, arming family caregivers with the information and knowledge they need to safely care for their loved ones at home is a critical piece of the puzzle.”

 

For some family caregivers, their role is more involved as they care for a loved one 24 hours a day, seven days a week, often performing complicated medical tasks like wound care, injections, and medication management—once in the domain of only doctors or nurses.

 

Unpaid caregivers are often unprepared when the person for whom they care is hospitalized. Without the proper information, knowledge and instructions, they are unable to adequately assume the care regimen established during a hospital stay, and sometimes this lack of communication results in care issues or hospital readmissions. However, there is a way to provide both hospitals and caregivers with the proper protocols to eliminate these communication issues. It’s called the Montana Caregiver Act.

 

AARP Montana is fighting for the Caregiver Act to help family caregivers when their loved ones go into the hospital—and as they return home. The Caregiver Act will give family caregivers the support they need by, requiring hospitals to record the name of the caregiver when their loved one is admitted, notify the caregiver when their loved one is to be moved or discharged, and instruct the caregiver on the medical tasks they will need to perform at home.

 

“AARP is fighting for commonsense solutions to support these unsung heroes which is why we are urging the Montana Legislature to support the 118,000 family caregivers across Montana and pass the Caregiver Act. But we need your help – we need your stories.  Personal stories are powerful and can influence lawmakers and decision-makers on important issues. If you’re a family caregiver, I urge you to share your story—because together we can make an important difference in the lives of caregivers and those they love all across this state,” concluded Summers.

 

Caregivers are urged to share their personal stories here: www.iheartcaregivers.org