The Care Act goes into effect May 12!

Do you know what May 12^th represents? The day the CARE Act goes into effect in NJ and starts supporting over 1.7 million Family Caregivers and their loved ones!

Over one million New Jersey residents are caring for an aging parent or loved one, helping them to live independently in their own homes.  These family caregivers have a huge responsibility, and The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act will make a world of difference to them.  That’s why AARP supported the adoption of this law to better support family caregivers.

 

What is The CARE Act?

Recently signed into law by Governor Chris Christie, The CARE Act recognizes the critical role family caregivers play in keeping their loved ones out of costly institutions.

 

The new law features three important provisions:

• The name of the family caregiver is recorded when a loved one is admitted into a hospital or rehabilitation facility;
• The family caregiver is notified if the loved one is to be discharged to another facility or back home; and,
• 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.

 

Why New Jersey Needs The CARE Act:

• Most care recipients (69%) did not have a home visit by a health care professional after discharge from the hospital.
• Almost half (46%) of family caregivers perform medical or nursing tasks for their loved ones with multiple chronic physical and cognitive conditions.
• Three out of four (78%) caregivers who provide these medical or nursing tasks manage medications, including administering intravenous fluids and injections.
• Most family caregivers report that they received little or no training to perform these tasks.- AARP report “Home Alone: Family Caregivers Provide Complex Chronic Care”