AARP Ohio Applauds Bill to Support Family Caregivers

AARP Ohio commends state Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and state Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) for introducing the Supporting Family Caregivers Bill. The legislation would provide a $2,000 tax credit to offer financial relief to Ohio's 1.5 million working family caregivers, helping them stay employed, plan for their futures and support the economy while caring for their loved ones. Many Ohio caregivers are balancing caregiver responsibilities with work and are paying care expenses out of their own pockets, averaging $7,200 a year.

“Family caregivers are our unpaid heroes providing $21 billion in essential services annually for their loved ones. Without family caregivers, many older Americans would be forced into costly nursing homes with the government and taxpayers paying the bill,” said Jenny Carlson, AARP Ohio state director. “We thank Rep. Mathews and Sen. Reynolds for their leadership on supporting family caregivers by recognizing the need for this critical funding that will help our family members, friends and colleagues pay for bills, afford groceries and save for the future.”

“Families are the building blocks of society and at their best, support and care for one another in mutual interdependence,” Mathews said. “This bill empowers Ohioans to take care of those who raised them and better balance demands on their time and budget.”

“Ohio’s family caregivers are the backbone for some of the most vulnerable in our state,” Reynolds said. “Making sure caregivers can support those they care for, as well as themselves, is imperative to having a continuance of care for those who need it the most. I’m proud to support this legislation that ensures these caregivers can continue to provide the assistance that so many rely upon.”

Nearly 100 AARP volunteers met with both bill sponsors along with other legislators and staff during AARP Ohio’s Advocacy Day on May 14 to discuss the importance of supporting family caregivers as well as championing ways to make the state a great place to live for people of all ages.