New CRS report on family caregiver legislation

Family Caregiving to the Older Population: Legislation Enacted in the 109th Congress and Proposals in the 110th Congress
September 07, 2007
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Familycaregivers fulfill the majority of the need for long-term care providedto older persons with chronic disabilities in the United States. Amongthose older Americans receiving long-term care, the overwhelmingmajority receive some form of informal, or unpaid, care primarilyprovided by spouses and adult children. Family caregiving encompasses awide range of activities, including assistance with personal careneeds, medication management, and coordination with other health-careprofessionals. For many, caregiving is a rewarding experience; however,for some, caregiving can lead to emotional and physical strain, as wellas financial hardship. As demand for caregiving to the older populationis likely to increase, certain demographic factors may limit the numberof family caregivers and their capacity to provide care. Although thefederal government has established programs and services for familycaregivers, policy makers have identified the need for additionalfederal benefits. This report briefly describes legislation enacted inthe 109th Congress and proposals introduced in the 110th Congress thatdirectly assist family caregivers (H.R. 1032, H.R. 1161, H.R. 1369, H.R. 1542, H.R. 1560, H.R. 1807, H.R. 1871, H.R. 1911, H.R. 2244, H.R. 2392, H.R. 3043, S. 614, S. 897, S. 898, S.910, S. 1340, S. 1681). This report will be updated upon significant legislative activity.