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• the time you take to pick them up and take
them back to where they live;
• time spent preparing for their visit (e.g.,
preparing where they will sleep or preparing
their meals); and
• time spent cleaning up after they leave.
There are many eligibility requirements, and
the system (including the Carer’s income) is closely
monitored. But the main point is: the system exists.
The good news for caregivers is that help is on
the way in America. Family caregivers, who have
many responsibilities, will surely welcome any
aid from the government. The AARP estimates it
will take up to 18 months. In the meantime, the
advisory council meetings will be open to the
public, giving opportunities for public input. 4 With
a process in place to collect and share information,
the advisory council will consider best practices
and explore new ways to coordinate care. Their
goal will be to maximize effectiveness. There is no
doubt they will look for ways to decrease federal
government services that are already being provided
by family members. What will be interesting to
watch is what kind of financial benefits will be
offered to caregivers and what requirements the
council will recommend to qualify for such benefits.
In the United States, we have our work cut out
for us. The RAISE advisory council will bring
together many voices in healthcare, but this is just
the beginning. Given our much larger and health-
diverse population, this will be a new challenge for
our government. Among the divided political
landscape, at least this challenge is one that unites us!
City Council Recognizes
VTC Mentors
on January 25, tampa City Councilman and hCba member
luis viera presented a commendation to the thirteenth Judicial Circuit
veterans treatment Court (vtC) mentor program, which has reached an
impressive milestone of 100 mentors. Judge Michael scionti, who
oversees the veterans treatment Court, and Judge greg holder, who
previously administered the vtC, attended the recognition ceremony,
as did lead Mentor Col. d.J. reyes (ret.), toni gross – the president of
gold star Mothers-tampa bay, and mentor Matt hall, who is an hCba
board member with hill, ward & henderson.
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-
legal/info-2017/family-caregiving-costly-jj.html
2 https://homehealthcarenews.com/2018/01/
raise-act-passes-congress/
3 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
social-care-and-support/carers-
allowance/
4 https://www.aarp.org/politics-
society/advocacy/caregiving-
advocacy/info-2015/raise-family-
caregivers-act.html
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Author: Stephanie Donovan -
BayCare Health System, Inc.
MAR - APR 2018
|
HCBA LAWYER
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