ATLANTA — This week Gov. Kemp signed House Bill 1304 — the Georgia Caregivers Act. The bill, passed unanimously by both the House of Representatives and Senate, will help support Georgia’s 1.2 million unpaid caregivers by ensuring they receive the education they need to care for their loved ones after a appropriate care for hospitalization at home.
“Family caregivers are the backbone of our state’s long-term care system and keep their loved ones home as long as possible as they age,” said Debra Tyler Horton, AARP Georgia state director. “The Georgia Caregivers Act is a no-cost, sane solution that will help support caregivers and keep Georgia seniors in their homes and communities and away from costly facilities.”
In 2021, more than half of Georgian hospitals were fined for excessive readmissions of patients. Appropriate training for family caregivers could help reduce these costly readmissions to hospital. The Georgia Caregivers Act was sponsored in the House by Rep. Lee Hawkins and in the Senate by Sen. Dean Burke.
“AARP would like to thank lawmakers for their efforts to support family caregivers,” added Tyler Horton.
The Georgia Caregivers Act goes into effect on July 1, 2022.
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About AARP AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people age 50 and older to choose how they want to live in old age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and champions what matters most to families: health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s highest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visitwww.aarp.orgor follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.
