The United States is rapidly reaching a caregiving crisis. This is influenced by a number of factors, including improved medical care, the Baby Boomer population reaching retirement and fewer individuals in younger generations. The end result is an increase in the need for caregivers and a decrease in the number of potential caregivers.
While the problem isn’t easy to solve – policy plays a key role. Part of this is discussions on laws that can support seniors and caregivers. The CHRONIC Care Act is one such piece of legislation. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act is another.
What is the RAISE Family Caregivers Act?
The RAISE Family Caregivers Act was passed at the beginning of 2018. The key goal of the Act is to develop a nationwide strategy to support caregivers.
The importance of this goal cannot be underestimated. Family caregivers struggle in many areas. They often have few sources of support, face financial concerns, do not have the skills or experience that they need, and suffer both physical and mental health challenges themselves.
Some laws and criteria even make caregiving more difficult, such as Medicaid work requirements.
To achieve this goal, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act establishes an advisory body. This aims to include stakeholders from private and public seconds. The advisory body will then make recommendations that can be used to support caregivers.
The approach helps to place caregiving in a place of attention. It also creates a focus on finding solutions.
Other aspects of the Act include:
- A mandate to ensure that a strategy is developed within 3 years.
- The requirement to provide annual progress report.
Discussions suggest that the advisory body will address a range of topics, like training, education and information, workplace flexibility, respite service, assessment and services, and person-and-family-centered care.
In theory, the advisory body should be able to develop effective and practical strategies, that then offer support for caregivers. Such an approach is needed, as there are many caregivers throughout the United States, all in different situations.
Effective planning and research is essential. Otherwise, there is a risk that any changes would make things worse for caregivers, rather than better.
The Significance of the Act
The RAISE Family Caregivers Act is important for multiple reasons.
For one thing, it shows a strong focus on caregiving, along with an acknowledgement of their value. This is critically important. Informal caregivers are often unrecognized and support structured are limited.
An increased policy focus on caregivers suggests a valuable shift in this area. It may mean that more such policies are developed in the future, along with additional sources of funding and support. A government focus on caregiving should also make the problem more widely discussed. This is another area that could lead to additional support and tools.
What’s more, the law passed.
This is a really important point. The current political climate isn’t great for the passage of laws. The fact that the RAISE Family Caregivers Act passed means that there is bi-partisan support for caregiving and for seniors.
That support is a powerful statement for the future. It means that caregiving issues are being taken seriously.
And, of course, the Act provides support for caregivers. This is the biggest advantage. It should mean that there are more programs, tools and supports developed in the future.
The Downsides…
Of course, things aren’t all amazing.
One of the biggest strengths, and limitations, of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act is that it is future-focused. This includes an emphasis on developing a long-term strategy, one that will involve the public and the private sectors.
This is fantastic from a long-term perspective and is sorely needed.
Even so, it means little for current caregivers. The Act simply focuses on an advisory body. That group has three years to make its recommendations. It isn’t clear whether those recommendations will be acted upon, or what the time frame is for such action.
The end result is that it could easily be five years, if not more, before any significant changes are seen. The Act doesn’t even provide extra funding.
In the meantime, current caregivers will need to rely on the resources they have at hand and what is currently being offered. Local programs are a good place to start, especially for caregivers who are struggling. You may be surprised at the amount of support that is currently out there.
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