Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change : NPR
The Care Can’t Wait coalition has advocated for federal support for family caregivers, including advocating for the Build Back Better bill in 2021. Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Unbendable Media hide caption toggle caption Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Unbendable Media In early December, Andy Kim walked onto the Senate floor to give his first solo speech. By tradition, this is a formal introduction, the chance for a new congressperson to announce what he stands for. Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey, told the story of his father’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease just a few weeks prior. After the appointment, Kim said he sat in his car in shock, replaying the words of the doctor who warned him that his next year was going to be hell. Kim said the costs of care have already been “catastrophic” for his family. “Why is it so hard to provide care in this country?” he asked. “Why is providing care so insanely complicated?” The takeaway: Family caregiving is so difficult that even a U.S. senator is overwhelmed. And even a …
