Government Sponsored Paid Time-off for Caregiving
November is National Family Caregivers Month to honor the heroic caregivers across America who take care of ill loved ones at home. This year’s theme is BeCareCurious. According to the AARP, more than 40 million voluntary family caregivers receive no pay, but provide about 37 billion dollars of free care. Nearly half of family caregivers are adults who care for aging parents and about one in five are wives or husbands taking care of ill and/or disabled spouses. Many of these family caregivers are financially stressed and 7% of them are age 75 or older. According to an AARP survey in 2019, more than 60% of caregivers surveyed by the AARP in 2019 were working and trying to juggle their jobs together with their caregiving. However, according to an AARP article September 25, 2019, a few states have enacted legislation that enables workers to receive paid time-off for caregiving for a loved one. This helps to relieve the financial stress on these family caregivers.
Four States have Government Sponsored Family-leave Insurance Programs
Four states have existing government-sponsored family-leave insurance programs: New York, New Jersey, California and Rhode Island. These family-leave programs can help caregivers hang on to their jobs by offering them paid time-off from their caregiving. The four states are:
California
California in 2005 was the first state to establish paid family leave. Employees can receive 60-70% of their weekly salaries up to the maximum of $1,252 a week for six weeks in any 12-month period.
New York
Workers can received 55-60% of their average weekly earnings up to the maximum of $746.41 a week (2019) and $840.70 (2020) for up to 10 weeks to care for a family member who is seriously ill.
New Jersey
Workers can receive 67% of their average weekly earnings up to the maximum of $650 a week for up to six weeks over a 12-month period. On July 1, 2020 this will increase to 12 weeks or 56 intermittent days of caregiving.
Rhode Island
Workers can receive about 60% of their weekly earnings for up to $1000 a week.
Five other States and the District of Columbia will also Offer Family-leave Insurance Programs
The District of Columbia and five other states will also offer family-leave insurance programs that will begin from 2020 to 2023. The five states are Washington, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The Need may arise for Long-term Care
The day may come when the family caregiver can no longer take care of their loved one at home. This is due to the progression of disease conditions to the point where their loved ones need much more help and care than their family caregiver can provide.
Long-term Care at the Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Galloway Township, New Jersey
The Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation in scenic Galloway Township, New Jersey offers long-term skilled nursing care at its best. With a high ratio of staff per resident, your loved one will get expert round-the-clock care at the hands of a warm and friendly staff. Royal Suites is also a very beautiful 5-star facility surrounded by eight acres of lovely woods and landscaped gardens.
Respite Care at Royal Suites
Royal Suites also offers respite care which is a wonderful way for a caregiver to get a break. See our blog post from April 25, 2018 about respite care.
Conclusion
It is good to know that some states understand the need for giving paid leave to family caregivers, so that they can take care of a loved one with serious health problems. Let us hope that all the states will jump on this bandwagon.