AARP: Big Help for Family Caregivers as NY to Expand Home Health Aide Tasks

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ALBANY, New York – Following the state Legislature’s passage of a  bill negotiated with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to create a new class of advanced home health aides who would be allowed to perform previously prohibited health tasks,  AARP New York State Director Beth Finkelissued the following  statement:  

“New York’s family caregivers will get a huge helping hand with this expansion of tasks that properly trained, certified and supervised advanced home health aides will be allowed to perform.

“Family caregivers often have to leave work at lunch or travel from home to administer eye or ear drops or handle other basic health tasks for their loved ones.

“Allowing advanced home health aides to perform more common health care procedures will improve access to care - in New Yorkers’ homes, rather than in costly, taxpayer-funded institutional settings.

“The bill the state legislature has passed – in agreement with Governor Cuomo - will relieve family caregivers’ burdens and support them in helping their loved ones age with dignity in their own homes – as the vast majority want - while saving taxpayers money.”

“New York’s over four million family caregivers already provide unpaid care valued at $31.3 billion annually, and as our population ages, the need for long-term care will only increase.

“AARP applauds Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Flanagan, Assembly Speaker Heastie and their colleagues for bringing New York on par with 16 other states that have allowed nurses to assign a wider range of tasks to paid aides. AARP thanks Senator LaValle and Assemblymember Glick for their leadership in helping move the bill to the floor for a vote.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at  www.aarp.org