Bolinsky Hails Passage of CARE Act for Caregivers
HARTFORD — State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky hailed passage of the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, in the House of Representatives, early Wednesday morning, legislation that provides information to family caregivers and Connecticut’s aging population.
Bolinsky, a cosponsor of CARE Act (S.B. 290), applauded House of Representatives colleagues on the unanimous support of the legislation which provides adequate information to individuals caring for their loved ones following a hospital visit. Under the bill, which now heads to the governor’s desk, hospitals will ask patients if they want to designate a home caregiver, and if they do, provide their caregiver with instructions on medical management, wound care and assorted medical tasks.
Rep. Bolinsky shepherded the CARE Act through the committee process as the ranking member of the Aging committee and spoke in strong support on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Bolinsky said, “This is a significant piece of legislation for the caregivers of our state. I am proud to have collaborated on this bill. Our caregivers need support, direction and knowledge about where they can turn in a variety of unfamiliar circumstances. They need to be kept in the information loop and on how to implement the interventions and medications and follow-up care that seniors require to age gracefully safely in place. It is proven that, by implementing the CARE Act, we will reduce re-hospitalization rates, reduce health care costs, and improve compliance with care recommendations.”
The bill also allows hospitals to follow up with home caregivers, providing adequate support in the discharging process.
According to AARP’s State Scorecard, Connecticut ranks 30th in nation for our support of caregivers.
From bathing and dressing to finances and transportation, the state Commission on Aging reports that there are more than 700,000 Connecticut residents who provide daily care for family members. The total economic impact of this unpaid care is estimated to be $5.9 billion.
Officials from the state public health department said community-based health care – an “integral component in a patient’s recovery” – helps achieve “good patient outcomes.” This proposal will be key in hospital-to-home transition, which, for family caregivers, can be difficult at times.