May marks Older Americans Month, a time to honor our nation’s aging population. It’s also a time to consider how public policy can better support seniors’ ability to age with dignity, security, and independence. That means expanding access to in-home care and encouraging community-based solutions. One key step is to repeal the 2013 Home Care Rule.
Most senior citizens want to age in place so they can stay in their communities and maintain critical social connections. However, many need help to continue to live at home. Often, the help needed isn’t medical care, but rather simple help around the house, support with arranging and getting to and from appointments, and assistance with other routine tasks and errands. Some seniors are fortunate enough to have family and friends in the area to provide this support. But others need to be able to hire the help they need. Unfortunately, overly strict regulations make it hard for seniors and their families who need these services.
Under the Home Care Rule, 80% of services provided by a caregiver to an elderly or disabled person must be confined to “fellowship” (conversation, games, reading) or “protection” (accompanying on walks, monitoring). The companionship exemption can no longer be claimed if more than 20% of a caregiver’s time is spent on “care” services (dressing, meal preparation). The rule also introduced onerous recordkeeping requirements for households employing these caregivers, including detailed records of hours worked. Furthermore, caregivers employed through third-party employers are automatically excluded from the caregiving exemption.
These hindrances restrict access to care, drive up costs, and stifle the adaptability required to support seniors who wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes.
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