Post Hospital Law Helps Caregivers

Way To Go Ohio!

A brand new law in Ohio – as of December 12 - may provide support to family caregivers that could help their loved ones stay home rather than return to the hospitals for additional care.

Per a news announcement issued by AARP The Ohio Caregiving (SB 314) - proposed by AARP Ohio and unanimously passed by the Ohio General Assembly – passed this week. It is designed to help more than a million family caregivers keep those they care for in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This act makes it possible for those taking care of hospital patients to receive instruction for home care.

While encouraging greater independence for patients, the support also makes financial sense. It is estimated that the value of unpaid care in Ohio alone is approximately $16.5 billion a year. Of those caregivers, almost 75 percent are responsible for post-hospital medical tasks that in many instances they have not been trained to do.

According to the news release, "This is a great day for family caregivers across Ohio who are doing all they can to help their loved ones live at home for as long as possible," said Barbara Sykes, State Director of AARP in Ohio.

The goal is to use the current hospital discharge process to put in place specific supports for caregivers during hospital transition which can be a stressful time for all. In short, it is believed to be a commonsense approach that could reduce the need for nursing homes and other institutional care.

This act has received the approval of numerous organizations, such as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, LeadingAge Ohio, Mt. Carmel Health System and the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

To learn more, click here.

J. Dietrich Stroeh is author of Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing (FolkHeart Press) and three free e-books. For more information, click here.