The Ability Lab: Supporting America’s 53 Million Family Caregivers
Proposal Overview
Name: The Ability Lab, 2025: Supporting America’s 53 Million Family Caregivers
Year: 2025
Sponsoring Organization and Key Author(s):
Sponsoring Organization:
The Shirley Ryan Ability Lab is a not-for-profit physical medicine and rehabilitation research hospital. Its Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research conducts outcomes research measuring the long-term impact of rehabilitation in patients with disabilities. The brief was co-authored with ADvancing States, the association of state aging and disability program directors.
Key Authors:
Conor Callahan of ADvancing States
Program Details
Overview: Policy brief provides an overview of the family caregiver experience and the current options to support family caregivers. It includes recommendations to expand and enhance supports for family caregivers. Includes recommendations for Congress.
Major Legislative Recommendations
Expand/Enhance Caregiver Programs
Infrastructure
Recommends strengthening, supporting, and funding existing programs to support family caregivers, including: The National Family Caregiver Support Program and Veterans Affairs programs, such as the Program of General Caregiver Support Services, Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, and Veteran Directed Care.
Medicaid
Recommends increased funding for Medicaid waiver programs that cover respite care.
Recommends using Structured Family Caregiving, an alternative to the Medicaid Model, for individuals not suitable to self-directed care.
Other
Recommends strengthening the direct care workforce through self-directed care.
Financial Supports for Family Caregivers
Tax Credit/Deduction for Caregiver Expenses
Recommends tax incentives for families paying for respite care.
Workplace Supports
Expanded Family Medical Leave
Recommends paid family leave for working caregivers.