Bill > S3232

This bill amends the Older Americans Act to expand research and support for family caregivers by authorizing $30 million in funding from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for research and evaluation activities focused on family caregivers. The bill broadens the definition of "family caregiver" to include adult family members or individuals who provide informal in-home and community care to older individuals or those with Alzheimer's disease, while explicitly excluding individuals providing care through professional or financial agreements. It also introduces the term "older relative caregiver" to specifically describe caregivers who are 55 or older and are primary caregivers for children or individuals with disabilities, such as grandparents raising grandchildren when biological parents are unable to do so. The legislation updates various sections of the Older Americans Act to align with these new definitions, modifying support systems and service provisions to better reflect the diverse needs of family caregivers. By expanding the legal and research framework around family caregiving, the bill aims to recognize and support the critical role that informal caregivers play in supporting vulnerable populations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3232/all-info