Family caregivers play a critical role in care transitions, especially as their loved ones move from hospitals to rehabilitation centers and back home. Today, nearly 50 percent of family caregivers perform medical/nursing tasks, often with little or no explanation or guidance. When my father was diagnosed with breast cancer, my mother was forced into a caregiving role even though she was in her late 70s and suffering from multiple health concerns of her own.

My father’s surgery was extensive and his recovery lasted for months. His risk of infection was high yet my mother was expected to change his bandages, help him bathe and perform many duties that were challenging for her due to her crippling arthritis. She did not receive the adequate training to perform these functions and soon was completely overwhelmed. My father had to be readmitted to the hospital after several weeks due to concern over one of his open wounds. This could have been avoided had my mother received better support following my father’s initial discharge from the hospital.

Simple, yet profound changes can be made to support family caregivers so they can safely care for their loved ones at home and prevent such unnecessary hospitalizations or re-hospitalizations following surgery or treatment. One of every eight Medicare beneficiaries is readmitted within 30 days due to the lack of proper transitional care. That’s why Maine passed the CARE Act to provide some basic support for family caregivers that will make big responsibilities a little bit easier.

The CARE Act is designed to directly support caregivers who help loved ones remain in their own homes, and is an important step in our efforts to give family caregivers the recognition and support they deserve.