Will Georgia provide financial support for family caregivers?

Expectations rise due to Trump’s remarks on tax exemption support ↑

Care for hundreds of thousands of families, dementia family members, etc.

Case> Mr. Kim (70), a Korean living in Duluth, has been taking care of his wife (63), who has suffered from Halzheimer’s disease, at home for 7 years. Although a paid caregiver who earns $23 per hour comes to the home, Kim takes care of his wife personally for all but 16 hours a week due to financial burden. Kim’s main daily routine includes bathing, changing clothes, eating, and helping her walk. Mr. Kim said, “I am persevering even though it is difficult to avoid leaving my wife in a nursing home or other outside facility.” However, Mr. Kim revealed another concern, saying that although his wife has Medicaid, the cost burden is not small. Currently, Mr. Kim is hopeful that the new government that will be launched next year will provide financial support to family caregivers like himself.

As President-elect Donald Trump proposes tax benefits for family caregivers, the expectations of family caregivers across the country are growing.

During the election campaign, President-elect Trump expressed his intention to support family caregivers, saying, “It’s finally time for them to receive attention,” and “They are contributing greatly to our country, but they are not mentioned at all.”

President-elect Trump’s specific plans have not yet been revealed. Jason Resendez, president of the National Association of Caregivers in Washington, D.C., argued, “We need to start with financial support such as tax credits and gradually introduce systems such as in-home care and paid leave for family members who provide care.” Chairman Resedes also emphasized that “investment in support programs at the community level is something that should not be overlooked.”

According to the National Association of Caregivers and the National Association of Retired Persons, the number of family caregivers nationwide reached 53 million as of 2020. That’s about 1 out of 5 people.

In Georgia, there are about 374,000 caregivers who look after family members of patients with Halzheimer’s disease or dementia. Additionally, over 226,000 families are caring for a family member with a developmental disability. There are about 7,000 people on the service waiting list for the Georgia Developmental Disabilities Association. An association official said that they are waiting for financial support, such as tax exemptions, so that they can live at home or in the community rather than in so-called ‘facilities’.