Easing Transitions from Hospital to Home

Family caregivers, shouldering the stress and fatigue of doing what it takes to help aging loved ones continue to live at home, will gain new support under the Montana Caregiver Act.

Effective Oct. 1, the state law will allow every hospital patient to designate a family caregiver. Hospital staff must make reasonable efforts to contact the caregiver before the patient is transferred or discharged and to show the caregiver how to perform follow-up medical tasks the patient will need at home, such as managing medications or dressing wounds.

The law was backed by AARP Montana to help the estimated 118,000 family caregivers in the state. At least 36 other states have enacted similar laws.

Besides relieving caregivers’ stress, the law may help hospitals reduce readmissions and improve medical outcomes, said Tim Summers, AARP state director.