*****

Across our state family caregivers help their older parents, spouses, adults and children with disabilities, and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes and communities—instead of in costly, taxpayer-funded institutions. They assist with meal preparation, managing finances, transportation, and much more.

Many Georgia family caregivers also perform medical or nursing tasks for their loved ones like complex medication management, wound care, and injections.  Yet most receive little or no training for these important duties. That’s why
AARP Georgia is asking the Georgia state legislature to support caregiving  families with a no-cost, commonsense bill called the Georgia Caregivers Act.

The Act requires three primary elements:
• Identify: The patient identifies a caregiver upon admission to the hospital
• Notify: The caregiver is notified of the plan to discharge the patient home
• Instruct: The caregiver is given live instruction and training on the medical and nursing tasks to be performed at home.

In 2021, more than half of Georgia’s hospitals were penalized for excessive patient readmissions. The Georgia Caregivers Act could help. In states where the CARE Act is law, nurses and other health and social service professionals
say it has helped them engage with family caregivers and reduce unnecessary re-hospitalizations.

The Georgia Caregivers Act passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and is now on Governor Kemp's desk awaiting his signature! AARP Georgia thanks bill sponsors - Representative Lee Hawkins and Senator Dean Burke - for their efforts to support family caregivers in
Georgia!

*********

Are you wondering what Georgia's New Voting Legislation does?  Click here for an overview prepared by Steve Toggerson.

./uploads/Update%20on%20Voter%20Legislation.pdf

***********