1997 Caregivers Investment Bill |
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The Alzheimer�s Association supports passage of the Caregivers Investment Bill to provide a Virginia tax credit for low income family caregivers.
Background Family caregiving is a mainstay of chronic or long term care for dependent Virginians. The Commonwealth is experiencing a substantial increase in the number of elders with functional disabilities and younger people requiring long term care. Most people with disabilities prefer to remain in their own homes. Reinforcing family caregiving can make the difference between institutionalizing a family member or caring for him or her in the home setting. Family caregiving -- when combined with proper education, guidance and social support -- can reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect in comparison to institutionalization. Moreover, it is sound economics because the longer the care recipient remains in the community, the less it costs Virginia to provide for care. Medicaid nursing home care and wavered programs are considerably more expensive than a tax credit. House Bill 2510, the Caregivers Investment Bill (first was introduced in the 1996 General Assembly as H.B. 1519) would provide up to $500 in Virginia tax credit for low income family caregivers (with incomes between $5,000 and $50,000) not receiving Medicaid reimbursed community long term care services or living in a care facility. Caregivers could use the money to make a critical difference -- by purchasing respite care, permitting access to a specialist, buying needed equipment, making home renovations to accommodate disabilities, and more. The flexibility will allow the caregiver to best meet individual Alzheimer�s patient needs. For more information, please read the Issue Brief page and the Legislative Updates page.
Last updated: December 12, 1997
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