Op-Ed: State Representative Breaks Down the CARE Act

The following letter to the editor was sent by 32nd Middlesex District Rep. Paul Brodeur, who represents parts of Malden, Wakefield and Melrose:

In policy discussions at the State level, we often use the phrase ‘wrap around’ to discuss human services work. Often, this phrase indicates that every aspect of client care is thought of, and different care
providers are working in concert together to ensure the best possible outcomes. Wrap around social
services means that specialists and loved ones work together to develop a plan for the client and that
each is aware of the vital role the other provider plays in ensuring success. A student with a learning
disability may have their teacher, their school psychologist, their private doctor, their parents, and their
coach all work together to determine how to coordinate care and tweak the plan as necessary.

After serving as an attorney in the Executive Office of Elder Affairs for years, I’ve taken a particular
interest as a legislator in supporting ideas that provide this ‘wrap around’ approach to our seniors. Far
too often, hospital specialists, care takers, children, visiting nurses, social workers, and home care aides
have difficulties coordinating their care. While each player on a senior’s team may mean well and be
well qualified, disastrous effects can result from a lack of communication.

During this legislative session, I was pleased to vote in favor of the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable Act
(the CARE act). This bill addresses the all too frequent problem of family caregivers not being equipped
with the information they need to properly care for their loved one after they return from the hospital.

The act accomplishes this in three major ways.

First, upon admittance to a hospital, a senior will be provided with the opportunity to designate a family
caregiver. This clears up confusion between hospital staff, patients, and family. Secondly, the hospital
will be required to inform the designated caregiver whenever a patient is transferred to another facility.
Medical treatments for seniors can sometimes take unexpected turns and families need to know where
their loved one is in these times of crisis. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, this bill will facilitate a
meaningful dialogue between the treatment team at the hospital and the caregiver. Nurses and doctors
will explain to the caregiver in detail what types of care activities the patient will need at home. If the
caregiver is unfamiliar with how to change a bandage, or how to organize medication, the nurse or
doctor will educate the caregiver.

The CARE act is an example of how the concept of ‘wrap around’ must always involve the patient’s
family. Well over 844,000 Massachusetts residents act as a caregiver for a loved one, effectively
preventing costly hospital and nursing home stays. The CARE act equips care givers with the
communication and information they need from medical facilities. The law further underlines our
commitment in the elder services world to ensure that all of our policies put community and families
first.

Caring for a senior can be a difficult and rewarding experience. It is my hope that this bill will cut down
on unnecessary confusion between medical providers and loved ones. Seniors deserve the opportunity
to age with dignity and their families deserve to be treated as partners in facilitating that goal.

The views expressed in this letter are solely the writer's and not reflective of Patch.

Image via Rep. Paul Brodeur Twitter