MIKULSKI, KLOBUCHAR RENEW EFFORT TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN CARING FOR SENIORS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today announced that they are renewing their efforts to assist families who are caring for seniors. With almost 12 million Americans needing some type of long-term care, many adult children are providing care for their elderly parents. The Senators announced that they have reintroduced the Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act to help reduce the financial burden on families by establishing a federal tax credit to assist with the costs of caring for an aging family member.

"I believe that 'Honor Thy Father and Mother' is a good commandment to live by and a good policy to govern by," Senator Mikulski said. "This legislation will provide the support families need as they care for an elderly family member, helping them to age in place and lead more independent and active lives. I will continue to fight so that we meet the needs of our growing and changing senior population and their loved ones who care for them."

"Millions of families find themselves as members of the 'sandwich generation,' coping with the challenges and costs of care for elderly parents at the same time they are caring for their own children," Senator Klobuchar said. "As the baby boomer generation ages, these numbers will continue to grow. We must do everything we can to support daughters and sons in this act of love, and this legislation will help make it easier for them to care for their families."

In addition to establishing a federal tax credit, the Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act would also help expand programs such as the National Family Caregivers Support Program, which provides education, guidance, and support to people taking care of loved ones with long-term care needs. Across the United States, more than 65.7 million family and informal caregivers provide care to someone ?who is ill, disabled, or aged.

Senator Mikulski has been a long-time champion for seniors and their families. She has cosponsored legislation to renew and expand the landmark Older Americans Act to further support access to nutritious food and critical care for the elderly. She created the original National Family Caregivers Support Program and has worked tirelessly to support nurses and nursing education programs. As Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski fought to pass fiscal years 2014 and 2015 spending bills to keep the government open and ensure critical funding remains available for programs that help seniors, including funding for Meals on Wheels, Senior Centers, caregivers, and senior transportation services. In addition, she has worked to support increased funding for the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute on Aging and for increases to overall medical research related to Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's, cancer, dementia, and heart disease.

Throughout her time in the Senate, Senator Klobuchar has been fighting to ensure that all Americans have safety, dignity, and good health in their senior years. She has authored the Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act, which pushes for stronger screening and oversight of court-appointed guardians for seniors and persons with disabilities. She supported the Elder Justice Act to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly, which was incorporated into the health care reform bill that passed in 2010. She has also worked to preserve and strengthen Medicare, improve access to less-expensive prescription drugs, and protect seniors from fraud.

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MIKULSKI, KLOBUCHAR RENEW EFFORT TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN CARING FOR SENIORS