SARATOGA SPRINGS — Muriel True had a hard time making the decision to care for her aging mother at home. She felt so unprepared for the responsibility, and had so many unanswered questions. New York state lawmakers recognized the plight of True and many others like her, and in response to the need for support and resources for these caregivers, both houses recently passed legislation that will help millions of family caregivers.
The Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act (CARE Act) ensures hospital patients can designate a family caregiver and requires hospitals to offer the caregiver instruction and demonstrations of medical tasks they will be expected to provide for their loved ones at home, such as administering multiple medications, dressing wounds and operating medical equipment.
“People don’t realize until they get their loved ones home that simple things like bathing and toileting can be a daunting task,” said True, “especially when not done properly, with dignity.”
True added that she was not prepared for providing proper medication dosages, special diet needs, and did not realize there would be mental health needs, as well. True had to consider home renovation aspects, too, as many caregivers do, given how many homes are built without wheelchairs in mind. These were all issues she had to tackle with little professional guidance.
“I felt thrown in,” said True. “I needed guidance and it was difficult to find answers. I spent a lot of time making phone calls all over and getting no answers. I didn’t even know where to go for support.”
Sharing the responsibility with her sister and having the support of her husband made it feasible for True, but she said many people do not have that kind of support. She knows caregivers need someone to relieve them just for a few hours so they can run errands and tend to their own needs.
“There are so many caregivers who don’t have someone who can give them a break,” said True. “There are more and more elderly people who want to receive home care. This bill is so important for so many people and so, so overdue.”
The bill won unanimous approval in the Assembly earlier this week, and unanimous approval in the Senate on May 27. Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign it sometime this summer, making New York the 12th state to have legislation of this kind.
New York State AARP Director Beth Finkel said the bill will help as many as 2.8 million New Yorkers who provide unpaid care to family and loved ones, plus as many as 1.6 million adult New Yorkers who are discharged home from hospitals every year. The value of this unpaid care is estimated at $32 billion a year.
“Our lawmakers should be proud of voting to make a real and positive difference in the lives of millions, whether they be those providing care to family members and loved ones at home or those receiving the care. Information is power, and the Legislature is empowering millions of family caregivers,” said Finkel.
