Caregiving is essential to the fabric of our country, and we share a collective responsibility to recognize and support caregivers. We need a concerted policy response that meets caregivers where they are: the long-term care facility, the group home and at their kitchen tables at 3 a.m. as they frantically search for help.
We need a national caregiving strategy. To be effective, the strategy must include a broad and comprehensive set of policy responses that meet the needs of today and tomorrow:
- Better financial supports, such as tax credits and income replacement for caregivers and people with disabilities.
- Expanded home and community care services.
- Integrated care across services and sectors.
- Policies, benefits and legislation to support flexible work for employed caregivers.
- Better wages and working conditions for care providers.