Congressional Caucus Distinguishes Family Caregivers

There are three indispensable elements of complex chronic disease treatment – patients, providers and caregivers. The dynamic among these generates strength and stability; each element leans on the others while simultaneously supporting them. Family caregivers are too often overlooked in this dynamic but are a vital part of the care team, numbering over 43.5 million and providing $470 billion dollars’ worth of unpaid care annually. They are an extension of providers’ eyes and ears, noticing even the most subtle improvement or decline between medical appointments. Caregivers may wear many hats including “nurse,” financial manager, “psychologist,” chef, housekeeper, driver, grocery shopper, medical appointment companion and medication guide.

The Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus, launched recently by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), distinguishes the role of family caregivers. The caucus will inform policymakers about the challenges family caregivers face and advocate for policies that support this stable, unselfish force in patients’ lives.

Navigating the treatment of a complex chronic disease is complicated. Patients and their family caregivers should focus on healing and quality of life. What they don’t need is added anxiety and uncertainty from untested Medicare payment models that could jeopardize access to care close to home, increase out of pocket costs, undermine personalized patient treatment plans and burden family caregivers. Patients and Providers United continues to advocate to keep patients, providers and caregivers at the center of medical decision making.