Today, April 18th, the White House issued a sweeping set of Executive Actions to support family caregivers and the paid care workforce. In response to President Biden’s Executive Orders to support family caregivers, Caregiver Action Network issued the following statement.

For thirty years, the Caregiver Action Network (the National Family Caregivers Association) has advocated for family caregivers. They have provided education and support free of charge to family caregivers. Today, President Biden’s Executive Actions take an important step. They aim to alleviate significant hardships for Americans caring for family members or friends.

White House Unveils Sweeping Initiatives to Support Family Caregivers

Caregiver Action Network is prepared to assist our nation’s family caregivers. They are also ready to support the new initiatives outlined by the White House. Specifically, we applaud the call to test new dementia care models. These models include support for respite care, which is crucial for family caregivers. The initiative also aims to make it easier for family caregivers to access information if their loved one is a Medicare beneficiary. Additionally, support for family caregivers through the hospital discharge process is emphasized. Lastly, the funding increase through the American Recovery Plan, providing $145 million for the National Family Caregiver Support Program, is welcomed.

The Executive Actions aim to support the paid care workforce. This effort will have a beneficial impact on family caregivers. Family caregivers often face challenges due to shortages in the paid care and long-term care workforce. Family caregivers will benefit from leveraging Medicaid. This will ensure there are enough home care workers. These workers can provide care to seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicaid. The Actions build on minimum staffing standards for nursing homes. They also condition a portion of Medicare payments on nursing homes’ ability to retain workers. These measures aim to improve staffing stability and quality of care in nursing homes.

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About CAN

Caregiver Action Network (www.CaregiverAction.org) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. The caregiver network reaches caregivers on multiple platforms. The National Family Caregivers Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.