Rep. Wilson Offers Cosponsorship of RAISE Act

At a time when our country is extremely polarized, family care giving is a rare issue that unites us. It isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It’s a family issue that affects us all. If you’re not a caregiver now, you will be one or will need one in the future.

That’s why AARP South Carolina went to the U.S. Capitol in early June to fight for the more than 700,000 Palmetto state residents who care for older parents, spouses, children with disabilities and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes and communities.

Teresa Arnold, AARP SC state director and Liz Norris, AARP SC state president took the opportunity to meet with members of the South Carolina Congressional delegation to urge them to support commonsense legislative steps to support family caregivers. During a meeting with Second District Representative Joe Wilson, the congressman offered his co-sponsorship for the RAISE Act. AARP SC is grateful for his support of this bill that will help people right here in South Carolina.

Marge cares for her friend, Gary, who has congestive heart failure. Read her story here

Are you a family caregiver?

Share your story and help us fight for family caregivers.

Family caregivers like Marge take on huge responsibilities that can be overwhelming, stressful, and exhausting. Sometimes they’re even on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can’t get any relief. They:
• help with bathing and dressing,
• prepare meals,
• drive to appointments,
• manage medications,
• and more!

In addition to their care giving responsibilities, many family caregivers are juggling full- or part-time jobs and some are still raising their families.

Supporting family caregivers
As these family caregivers face physical, emotional and financial challenges, we can take some commonsense legislative steps that would help make their lives a little bit easier.

That’s why AARP thanks Congressman Wilson for taking by cosponsoring the bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (H.R. 3099). The RAISE Family Caregivers Act would create a national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. Passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate last year, the bill was introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) last July.