Montana Family Caregivers Gain Important Support

New State Law Positively Impacts Montana’s 118,000 Caregivers

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A new measure called the Montana Caregiver Act, gives important help to thousands of unpaid family caregivers. Caregiving can be stressful, exhausting and daunting. The new state law aims to ease the stress by providing caregivers with instruction and support when a loved one goes into the hospital and then transitions home upon discharge.

The Montana Caregiver Act, which takes effect October 1, will allow every hospital inpatient to designate a family caregiver, whose contact information will be on file with the hospital. The hospital must make reasonable efforts to keep the caregiver informed about the patient’s release and to show the caregiver how to perform follow-up medical tasks the patient will need at home.

The measure is vital because unpaid family caregivers often provide complex medical and nursing tasks for their loved ones, and sometimes without adequate explanation or instruction. It’s not uncommon for their tasks to include managing multiple medications, providing wound care, overseeing special diets, and operating high-tech medical equipment.

“This is great news for family caregivers across Montana,” said AARP Montana Director Tim Summers. “Family caregivers are everyday heroes who are doing all they can to help their loved ones. We thank the sponsors of this bill and applaud the members and leadership of the House and Senate for this very significant action in support of caregivers in Montana.”

The measure passed during the 2017 session with nearly unanimous consent. The primary sponsors of the Montana legislation were Rep. Geraldine Custer, R-Forsyth and Sen. Mary Caferro, D-Helena.

At least 36 states have put a version of AARP’s CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act on the books. There are more than 118,000 Montanans who provide unpaid care to family and loved ones at any time. The value of this unpaid care in Montana alone is estimated at $1.43 billion per year.

“This proposal is a ‘win-win’ — caregivers will be more confident and competent, and hospitals will have better medical results and face fewer financial penalties when fewer patients are readmitted with complications due to a rough transition home,” said Summers.

An AARP study found that almost half of caregivers nationwide (46 percent) perform medical tasks for multiple conditions, and 78 percent manage medications, including intravenous drugs and injections.

Click Here>>  for a downloadable wallet card outlining the parameters of the Montana Caregiver Act - click again when you see the graphic to enlarge to full size.  Find out more about AARP’s online caregiving resource guide at http://www.aarp.org/caregiving.

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About AARP Montana:

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. There are more than 146,000 AARP members in Montana and over 38 million members across the nation.

For over 40 years, AARP has been working right here in big sky country to improve the lives of the 50-plus. By fighting on issues that matter most to Montana families and providing trusted information, we’re helping Montanans live life to the fullest. AARP Montana is the largest membership organization in the state.  As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political action committees, campaigns or candidates.