Family Caregiver Research and Innovation Act
Topic:
Proposals are grouped into broad types, with specific topics within each category
Proposal Overview
Name: Family Caregiver Research and Innovation Act
Congress: 119th
Year: 2025
Sponsor and Co-Sponsors
Sponsor:
Senator Edward Markey (D-MA)
Co-Sponsors:
3 Democratic cosponsors
Companion Bill
None
Related Bills from Prior Congresses
Program Details
Overview: This bill authorizes funding for research, evaluation, and innovation related to family caregiving under the Older Americans Act of 1965. Specifically, it would fund the Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center for the Aging Network to conduct research and evaluations related to family caregiving. It also updates the statutory definition of “family caregiver” to exclude individuals whose primary relationship with the person receiving care is based on a financial or professional agreement. The Act aligns with the goals of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act.
Definition of Family Caregiver
A family caregiver is an adult family member or other individual who provides home or community care to an any-age individual with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.
An older adult relative caregiver means someone age 55 plus, who lives with, and is the unpaid care provider for a child or an individual with a disability. In the case of an individual with a disability, the older adult relative is a parent, grandparent, or other relative by blood, marriage, or adoption of the individual with the disability.
National Family Caregiver Support Program Revision
This bill amends the National Family Caregiver Support Program by narrowing access to respite and supplemental services to family caregivers under the updated definition above. This excludes individuals whose primary relationship with the person receiving care is based on financial or professional agreement. The program also expands the definition of family caregiver.
Financing & Implementation
Program Administration
Administration for Community Living
Revenue Source(s)
Annual appropriations
Program Cost Estimate
$30,000,000 for research and evaluation services about family caregivers for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2030.