Many of the elderly and disabled in Florida rely on family members to provide daily care. The Biden administration recognizes the strain placed on these people who take responsibility for protecting some of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. A new executive order outlined the president’s goals of expanding resources for people who need care in the home or nursing homes.
Respite care resources
The executive order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to test a new model for dementia care. The new approach will expand respite care for family caregivers. Respite care refers to outside people coming into homes so that family caregivers can take a break.
Caregivers often have trouble finding time to run their own errands or attend to their own healthcare needs. They also need time away from the demanding role of caring for people who need help bathing, dressing and eating. Many people reliant on caregivers require constant supervision to protect them from accidents. Family members take on these demanding roles in the hope of keeping loved ones safe from the risk of nursing home neglect.
Mental health resources
Stress for in-home family caregivers frequently leads to depression and burnout. As a result, the Biden administration directed the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to add more mental health services.
Potential healthcare savings
The disabled and elderly have a better quality of life when their caregivers can manage stress and access help with Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The Biden administration estimates that funding spent on supporting family caregivers and nursing home workers will reduce healthcare expenses by billions of dollars. The additional funding for respite care could ease burdens on caregivers and in turn improve the health of their elderly or disable loved ones.
