The Families Care Act (S. 1132) would amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to broaden support for family caregivers. Specifically, it adds “peer supports” as a covered service within the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and it requires states to consider the unique needs of caregivers whose family members are affected by substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. The bill also strengthens the administration’s ongoing communication by requiring the Assistant Secretary to regularly publish and disseminate information about available services, rather than limiting it to a one-time or delayed availability. The overall aim is to better support caregivers—particularly those dealing with the impacts of substance use—through expanded services and clearer consideration of diverse caregiver circumstances.
Key Points
- 1Adds “peer supports” as an identified supportive service in the National Family Caregiver Support Program, alongside existing services like individual counseling.
- 2Requires states to consider the unique circumstances of different caregiver types, including children and older relatives caring for family members affected by substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder.
- 3Reframes the program’s prioritization language to emphasize “Priority; Consideration,” signaling a broader attention to caregivers’ diverse needs.
- 4Explicitly obligates states to take into account the needs of caregivers affected by substance use disorders when delivering services under the program.
- 5Mandates ongoing publication, publication, and dissemination of information about available caregiver services by the Assistant Secretary, shifting from a narrower timing requirement to a regular communications obligation.