It's Time to Care for Caregivers: Family Caregiving Legislative Agenda
Author: Senator Edward J. Markey
Published: 2025/11/22 - Updated: 2025/11/26
Publication Type: Announcement
Category Topic: Carers - Caregivers - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This report details Senator Edward J. Markey's comprehensive legislative package supporting America's family caregivers through six targeted bills addressing critical gaps in caregiver support systems. The "Caring for Caregivers" agenda tackles economic strain through financial literacy programs, reduces caregiver burnout via expanded respite care and peer support networks, and improves health outcomes through coordinated healthcare delivery and nutrition interventions. With broad endorsement from organizations like the Gerontological Society of America and Alzheimer's Foundation of America, this legislative framework recognizes the essential role of the nation's estimated 63 million family caregivers while prioritizing underserved populations including low-income, BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and disabled caregivers. For seniors, people with disabilities, and their families navigating the complexities of long-term care, these proposed measures offer practical pathways to accessing integrated services, financial planning resources, and community support that can significantly ease the physical, emotional, and economic demands of caregiving - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Respite Care and Resources for Everyone (CARE) Act, legislation to support the development or establishment of integrated settings where family caregivers can receive respite care simultaneously with other supportive services. This would improve the accessibility of both respite care and supportive services. These supportive services under the Older Americans Act include counseling, financial planning, nutrition literacy, and information about other available programs for older adults and their caregivers.
Main Content
Senator Edward J. Markey, Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, recently announced the reintroduction of his "Caring for Caregivers" legislative agenda to support the needs of family caregivers nationwide. The bills support family caregivers' economic, physical, and emotional health through financial literacy resources, expansion of peer support services and respite care, and access to medically tailored meals.
"The work of family caregivers is personal for me. When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, my father cared for her in our home in Malden for thirteen years. My mother and father deserved better care and more support," said Senator Markey. "It is time we invest in family caregivers what they invest into our loved ones. Family caregivers deserve to receive the recognition, services, supports, and resources they are due - that is why I am reintroducing my 'Caring for Caregivers' agenda."
As part of his "Caring for Caregivers" agenda, Senator Markey is reintroducing a suite of legislation:
Respite Care and Resources for Everyone (CARE) Act
Legislation to support the development or establishment of integrated settings where family caregivers can receive respite care simultaneously with other supportive services. This would improve the accessibility of both respite care and supportive services. These supportive services under the Older Americans Act include counseling, financial planning, nutrition literacy, and information about other available programs for older adults and their caregivers.
The Respite CARE Act is cosponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).
The Respite CARE Act is endorsed by Gerontological Society of America, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Family Caregiver Alliance, Caring Across Generations, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Alzheimer's Los Angeles, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, LeadingAge, and Elder Justice Coalition, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Care in Action..
Financial Services Improving Noble and Necessary Caregiving Experience (FINANCE) Act
Legislation to support grants through the Older Americans Act for financial planning for family caregivers, including budgeting and saving, debt and bankruptcy, referrals to legal assistance for estate and will planning, and referrals to information published by the National Resource Center on Women and Retirement Planning.
The FINANCE Act is cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).
The FINANCE Act is endorsed by the Gerontological Society of America, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, Family Caregiver Alliance, Paralyzed Veterans of America, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Los Angeles, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, LeadingAge, and Elder Justice Coalition, Caring Across Generations.
Family Caregiver Peer Support Act
Legislation that would authorize $10 million annually for grants to develop or expand peer support programs for family caregivers, with priority for programs that serve low-income, BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+ caregivers, and/or caregivers with disabilities.
The Family Caregiver Peer Support Act is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).
The Family Caregiver Peer Support Act is endorsed by the Gerontological Society of America, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Family Caregiver Alliance, Alzheimer's Los Angeles, Caring Across Generations, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, LeadingAge, Alzheimer's Association, and Elder Justice Coalition, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Care in Action..
Family Caregiving Research and Innovation Act
Legislation to include family caregiving under the Administration on Community Living's Innovation Lab. The Innovation Lab is charged with developing research and providing technical assistance.
The Family Caregiving Research and Innovation Act is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
The Family Caregiving Research and Innovation Act is endorsed by Gerontological Society of America, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Family Caregiver Alliance, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Alzheimer's Los Angeles, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, LeadingAge, and Elder Justice Coalition, Caring Across Generations, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Care in Action.
Disease Intervention through Nutrition Education (DINE) Act
Legislation that would expand Food is Medicine under the Older Americans Act by adding screening and referrals to Food is Medicine programs under the Act's heath promotion and disease prevention work. The Act would also include food-based interventions, such as produce prescriptions to the Administration's long-term planning of nutrition programs as they examine trends in aging and nutrition.
The DINE Act is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
The DINE Act is endorsed by the Hunger Free America, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, National Produce Prescription Collaborative, Gerontological Society of America, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Los Angeles, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, LeadingAge, and Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Caring Across Generations.
Convenient Care for Caregivers Act
Legislation to support pilot projects through the Older Americans Act for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their family caregivers to receive health care and other supportive services at the same time and location.
The Convenient Care for Caregivers Act is cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).
The Convenient Care for Caregivers Act is endorsed by the Gerontological Society of America, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Los Angeles, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, LeadingAge, and Elder Justice Coalition, Caring Across Generations.
Several key stakeholders voiced their support for Senator Markey's "Caring for Caregivers" agenda.
"Family caregivers are an essential structural component of our communities across the nation. They make it possible for all of us to live with dignity, independence, and connection as we age," said James Appleby, BSPharm, MPH, ScD (Hon), CEO of the Gerontological Society of America. "This legislative package will enable caregivers to continue providing high-quality care while maintaining their own health and economic stability."
"The Alzheimer's Foundation of America believes additional caregiver support resources and making it easier for caregivers to connect with help and services are vital.Functioning properly, handling stress, and avoiding caregiver burnout is impossible without help and support. We thank Senator Markey, a former family caregiver himself, for reintroducing the 'Caring for Caregivers' agenda and working to enhance programs and resources which help those performing a true labor of love for their families," said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President & CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
"Senator Markey's 'Caring for Caregivers' package of legislation will make a positive impact on the over 300,000 family caregivers providing care for someone with Alzheimer's disease in Los Angeles County. Family caregivers are the backbone of our long-term care system in America. It is imperative that we invest in our family caregivers, especially in their physical, mental, and financial health. We thank Senator Markey for making that investment, especially for our Alzheimer's family caregivers," said Joey Milne, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer's Los Angeles.
"During National Family Caregivers Month, we commend Senator Markey for his comprehensive package of bills to improve the lives of family caregivers. It is a recognition on his part that with an estimated 63 million family caregivers a policy approach should not be piecemeal. All of what is proposed in the Markey caregiver package are urgent needs. Congress should act quickly to approve them." said Bob Blancato, Executive Director at National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Program.
"UsAgainstAlzheimer's is proud to support Senator Markey's 'Caring for Caregivers' agenda. As every family touched by Alzheimer's knows, caregivers are the backbone of our nation's long-term care system - yet the burden of caregiving is not equal. Two-thirds of all caregivers are women, and too often they shoulder these responsibilities without the support and resources they need. UsAgainstAlzheimer's applauds this renewed commitment to strengthening caregiver supports across the country, and we look forward to working with all of Congress to ensure families receive the help they need and deserve," said Russ Paulsen, Chief Operating Officer of UsAgainstAlzheimer's.
Earlier this month, Senator Markey introduced the National Family Caregivers Month resolution alongside Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). The resolution designates November 2025 as Family Caregiver Month and recognizes the contributions of family caregivers and acknowledges the work we have yet to accomplish for caregivers and their loved ones. You can read the resolution, which passed unanimously in the Senate on November 18.
Several provisions of Senator Markey's "Caring for Caregivers" agenda were included in the Older Americans Reauthorization Act of 2024. These provisions included home modifications to weatherize and improve air quality for older American's homes, improve peer support and respite care for family caregivers, and expand medically tailored meals and produce prescription programs.
The bill also included provisions from Senator Markey's Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act, which he introduced alongside Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Language included in the OAA directs federal agencies to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to identify where family caregivers face barriers in accessing government support.