Support the CARE Act

Ocskay Mark

Lawmakers are preparing to convene in January 2016 and AARP Missouri is asking the General Assembly to consider a measure called the CARE Act that could help and support the more than 700,000 family caregivers in the state.

Under the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, the critical role family caregivers play in keeping their loved ones out of costly institutions is recognized. “Caregivers across Missouri have a big job and this bill will support them when their loved ones go into the hospital, and provide training on medical tasks they will need to perform once their loved one returns home,” said Jay Hardenbrook, AARP Missouri Advocacy Director.

The three main provisions of the CARE Act are:
1. The name of the family caregiver is recorded when a loved one is admitted into a hospital;
2. The family caregiver is notified if the loved one is to be discharged to another facility or back home; and
3. The facility must provide an explanation and live instruction of the medical tasks – such as medication management, injections, wound care, and transfers – that the family caregiver will perform at home.

“We are urging our state legislators to support and pass the CARE Act. We are also encouraging the public to weigh in on this important issue by going online and signing the petition at action.aarp.org/mocaregivers.