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Miami Herald
05-06-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Millions of kids are caregivers for elders. Why their numbers might grow
High school senior Joshua Yang understands sacrifice. When he was midway through 10th grade, his mom survived a terrible car crash. But her body developed tremors, and she lost mobility. After countless appointments, doctors diagnosed her with Parkinson's disease, saying it was likely triggered by brain injuries sustained in the wreck. At 15, Yang, an aspiring baseball player and member of his school's debate team, took on a new role: his mother's caregiver. Researchers estimate that Yang, now 18, counted among at least 5.4 million U.S. children who provide care to an adult in their home. As state officials eye federal Medicaid funding cuts that could drastically reduce home care services for those who are disabled or have chronic health conditions, many predict that number will rise. That's bad news for kids: Studies show that when young people take on care for adults with medical conditions, their health and academic outcomes decline. At the same time, their loved ones receive untrained care. 'It all fell to me,' said Yang, whose sisters were 9 and 10 at the time of their mom's accident, and whose stepdad worked nights. His grades fell and he quit after-school activities, he said, unable to spare the time. Early on, Yang found reprieve from a personal care nurse who gave them supplies, such as adult diapers, and advice on items to purchase, such as a chair for the shower. And for about a year, Yang was able to work for a personal care agency and earn $1,000 a month caring for his mom — money that went toward her medication and family needs. But at the beginning of 11th grade, a change to his mom's insurance ended her personal care benefit, sending him into a runaround with his county's Medicaid office in Minnesota. 'For a solid month I was on my phone, on hold, in the back of the class, waiting for the 'hello,'' he said. 'I'd be in third period, saying, 'Mr. Stepan, can I step out?'' A report published in May by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reminded states that National Family Caregiver Support Program grants can be used to assist caregivers under 18. However, the future of those grants remains unclear: They are funded through the Older Americans Act, which is awaiting reauthorization; and the Administration for Community Living, which oversees the grants, was nearly halved in April as part of the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump. Additionally, if Congress approves proposed cuts to Medicaid, one of the first casualties likely will be states' home- and community-based service programs that provide critical financial relief to family caregivers, said Andrew Olenski, an economist at Lehigh University specializing in long-term health care. Such programs, which differ by state but are paid for with federal dollars, are designed to ensure that Medicaid-eligible people in need of long-term care can continue living at home by covering in-home personal and nursing care. In 2021, they served almost 5% of all Medicaid participants, costing about $158 billion. By law, Medicaid is required to cover necessary long-term care in a nursing home setting but not all home or community care programs. So, if states are forced to make cuts, those programs are vulnerable to being scaled back or eliminated. If an aide who makes daily home visits, for example, is no longer an option, family caregivers could step in, Olenski said. But he pointed out that not all patients have adult children to care for them, and not all adult children can afford to step away from the workforce. And that could put more pressure on any kids at home. 'These things tend to roll downhill,' Olenski said. Some studies show benefits to young people who step into caregiving roles, such as more self-confidence and improved family relationships. Yang said he feels more on top of things than his peers: 'I have friends worrying about how to land a job interview, while I've already applied to seven or eight other jobs.' But for many, the cost is steep. Young caregivers report more depression, anxiety, and stress than their peers. Their physical health tends to be worse, too, related to diet and lack of attention to their own care. And caregiving often becomes a significant drag on their education: A large study found that 15- to 18-year-old caregivers spent, on average, 42 fewer minutes per day on educational activities and 31 fewer minutes in class than their peers. Schools in several states are taking notice. In Colorado, a statewide survey recently included its first question about caregiving and found that more than 12% of high schoolers provide care for someone in their home who is chronically ill, elderly, or disabled. Rhode Island's education department now requires every middle and high school to craft a policy to support caregiving students after a study published in 2023 found 29% of middle and high school students report caring for a younger or older family member for part of the day, and 7% said the role takes up most of their day. Rates were higher for Hispanic, Asian, and Black students than their white peers. The results floored Lindsey Tavares, principal of Apprenticeship Exploration School, a charter high school in Cranston. Just under half her students identified as caregivers, she said. That awareness has changed conversations when students' grades slip or the kids stop showing up on time or at all. 'We know now that this is a question we should be asking directly,' she said. Students have shared stories of staying home to care for an ill sibling when a parent needs to work, missing school to translate doctors' appointments, or working nights to pitch in financially, she said. Tavares and her team see it as their job to find an approach to help students persist. That might look like connecting the student to resources outside the school, offering mental health support, or working with a teacher to keep a student caught up. 'We can't always solve their problem,' Tavares said. 'But we can be really realistic about how we can get that student to finish high school.' Rhode Island officials believe their state is the first to officially support caregiving students — work they're doing in partnership with the Florida-based American Association for Caregiving Youth. In 2006, the association formed the Caregiving Youth Project, which works with schools to provide eligible students with peer group support, medical care training, overnight summer camp, and specialists tuned in to each student's specific needs. This school year, more than 700 middle and high school students took part. 'For kids, it's important for them to know they're not alone,' said Julia Belkowitz, a pediatrician and an associate professor at the University of Miami who has studied student caregivers. 'And for the rest of us, it's important, as we consider policies, to know who's really doing this work.' In St. Paul, Joshua Yang had hoped to study civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, but decided instead to attend community college in the fall, where his schedule will make it simpler to continue living at home and caring for his mom. But he sees some respite on the horizon as his sisters, now 12 and 13, prepare to take on a greater share of the caregiving. They're 'actual people' now with personalities and a sense of responsibility, he said with a laugh. 'It's like, we all know that we're the most meaningful people in our mom's life, so let's all help out,' he said. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
June 2-8 is Medicare Fraud Prevention Week
The Senior Medicare Patrol launches a mobile app to fight fraud! WASHINGTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The fourth annual Medicare Fraud Prevention Week kicks off on Mon., June 2. Led by the Administration for Community Living's (ACL) Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, the national observance was established to raise awareness about Medicare fraud and educate individuals and communities about protecting themselves. This year's event will debut a brand-new mobile app, "SMP Medicare Tracker", that will allow users to learn about scams through games and alerts, read news, and report fraud. Another feature will be the "SMP My Health Care Tracker" where users can keep track of what happens during health care appointments to then compare to their Medicare statements for accuracy. "Each year, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion due to fraud, errors, and abuse," says the director of ACL's Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling, Rebecca Kinney, who oversees the national SMP program. "Fraud can happen to anyone, and its impact on individuals and families can be dramatic, so it's vital to make people aware of the latest scams and prevention tips and tools." Common scams may look like: Receiving bills for services or supplies that weren't ordered or were never received. Getting orders for tests or services that are unnecessary. Someone calling pretending to be from Medicare or your doctor's office, needing your Medicare number for any reason. With offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, SMP provides free, unbiased one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Local team members teach people how to prevent Medicare fraud and assist beneficiaries with billing errors and disputes. If a beneficiary suspects they have been a victim of Medicare fraud, a team member will work with them to report it to the correct state and federal agencies. For more information on preventing fraud and to find a local SMP office, visit and follow the SMP National Resource Center on Facebook to learn about the most recent scams. About Senior Medicare Patrol Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a national program of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SMP works with Medicare beneficiaries, family members, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP has offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information on the program's history, funding, and outcomes, visit Media Contact:SMP Resource Centerbbauer@ Photos: Press release distributed by PRLog View original content: SOURCE SMP Resource Center Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama families fight to save vital services for 375,000 seniors — care, meals, and lives at stake
AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) – For decades, local Area Agencies on Aging have provided a vital safety net for Alabama's older adults—delivering hot meals, offering caregiver relief, and advocating for the rights of nursing home residents. But now, advocates say the safety net is in danger of unraveling. The proposed FY2026 budget calls for deep cuts to the Older Americans Act (OAA) and the dissolution of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency overseeing senior services. If enacted, the plan would eliminate or drastically reduce funding for multiple programs serving vulnerable seniors—putting an estimated 375,000 older Alabamians at risk of losing access to critical support. At the Lee-Russell Council of Governments (LRCOG)—the Area Agency on Aging for Lee and Russell Counties—staff say the news was both sudden and alarming. 'We found out in March that the Administration for Community Living was being dissolved. One day, half the staff was laid off, and then we learned its programs would be split between other federal agencies,' said Jeanna Thomas, Area Agency on Aging Director at LRCOG. 'In April, a draft of the administration's budget came out, and it showed severe cuts to Older Americans Act programs—some zeroed out completely.' Founded in 1967, LRCOG is a regional hub for transit, planning, and aging services. In FY2024, the agency served over 4,100 clients through its Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), delivered more than 48,000 hot meals, and helped residents save more than $221,000 in healthcare costs through Medicare counseling and case management. 'We're trying to make sure the community understands just how important these programs are,' said Thomas. 'They help people stay in their homes, support those with dementia and their caregivers, and ensure that residents in nursing homes are being treated with dignity and respect.' That support is already stretched thin—and the proposed federal cuts would slash even deeper. 'We have seniors we visit who may not see another person all month except our case manager,' Thomas said. 'These programs are a lifeline.' Among the services at risk if the budget is approved: • ADRCs, which connect seniors and families to meals, in-home care, and benefits • Ombudsman programs that advocate for residents in long-term care facilities • Medicare SHIP counseling, which helps older adults select affordable insurance • Preventive health programs, including fall prevention and chronic disease education • Caregiver support and elder abuse prevention services 'In Alabama, it's 375,000 seniors who rely on these programs. Across the country, it's millions,' Thomas added. 'There are advocates working in Washington, but we need families at the local level calling their representatives and speaking up.' 'Optimistically, I want to believe these programs won't be cut—because I know how much it will hurt people,' she said. 'I can see the faces of those we serve. It's heartbreaking.' LRCOG Executive Director Lisa Sandt said the agency's central mission is to help seniors live independently, with dignity and support. 'We get about 5,000 calls a year from people looking for help,' Sandt said. 'Whether it's through our agency or another community group, the ADRC guides them. But that's one of the programs on the chopping block. So where do people go?' Sandt said the threat to services extends beyond seniors themselves. 'It's not just our older adults—it's their caregivers, too. The support we offer helps them keep their loved ones at home,' she said. 'Without that support, people will be forced to make impossible choices between food, medicine, and utilities.' Asked how concerned she is on a scale from one to ten, Sandt didn't hesitate: 'A ten.' As Congress prepares to debate the FY26 budget, aging advocates across Alabama and the nation are urging lawmakers to protect the Older Americans Act and preserve the infrastructure that keeps seniors safe and supported. To voice your support for these programs, contact: • Senator Tommy Tuberville: 202-224-4124 • Senator Katie Britt: 202-224-5744 For more information or to get involved, call the Lee-Russell Council of Governments at 334-528-9247. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion - Trump's budget: Senior care will shrink even as America's older population grows
The Trump administration's fiscal 2026 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services delivers a devastating blow to the very foundation of aging services in America. By breaking apart the coordination and delivery of programs under the Older Americans Act, the administration is jeopardizing the health, independence and dignity of millions of older adults and their caregivers. At the core of this proposal is the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living, the agency that has effectively administered the Older Americans Act for over a decade. Instead of preserving the coordinated structure that allows for comprehensive, community-based services, the plan would scatter Older Americans Act programs across different agencies under the Health and Human Services umbrella. Some services, such as nutrition programs, would be moved to the Administration for Children and Families, while others — including caregiving, elder rights, transportation and health promotion — would shift to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This fragmentation would severely undermine the coordinated approach that has made the Older Americans Act a success for nearly 60 years. The act was designed to be a comprehensive system of supports, offering older adults in every community access to a range of services to help them live safely and independently at home. From home-delivered meals and transportation to in-home assistance and caregiver respite, these services are interconnected. Breaking them apart will reduce their efficiency, create unnecessary bureaucracy and, ultimately, put older adults at risk. The impacts would be felt across our country. Older adults of every political persuasion could lose access to in-home help with bathing, dressing and chores. Rides to medical appointments and community centers could disappear. Family caregivers — who often provide more hours of care than formal systems combined — would lose access to respite and support services. Those in nursing homes would be left without protections, as elder abuse prevention programs are eliminated or severely cut. In addition to the structural overhaul, the proposed budget slashes or eliminates funding for a range of critical aging programs. The Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which connect individuals with essential services, would be eliminated entirely. The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which helps millions navigate complex Medicare options, would be defunded. And evidence-based wellness programs to prevent falls and manage chronic conditions would lose vital funding with the elimination of the Prevention and Public Health Fund. This is more than just a budget proposal, it's a roadmap to abandonment. The proposal ignores the demographic reality that 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Instead of scaling up support for this rapidly growing population, it proposes to reduce and fragment services, putting older adults at greater risk of institutionalization — often a more expensive and less desired outcome. The claim that Medicare and Medicaid will remain untouched offers little reassurance when the very programs that help prevent costly hospitalizations and nursing home placements are being dismantled. Programs under the Older Americans Act are not optional luxuries; they are essential services that support health, independence and quality of life for older Americans and their families. What's needed now is a unified system that keeps older adult services intact, coordinated and adequately funded. If reorganization must occur, all Older Americans Act programs should be consolidated under an agency like the Administration for Children and Families that can maintain a holistic, community-based approach. Splintering programs across agencies that lack aging expertise, like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, only creates confusion and weakens effectiveness. As Congress begins the fiscal 2026 budget process, the stakes couldn't be higher. Lawmakers must reject this disjointed approach and protect the services that help millions of older Americans thrive at home and in their communities. These are people we know and love; these are our friends, family and neighbors. Older adults deserve more than budget cuts and bureaucratic shuffle — they deserve dignity, support and a government that prioritizes their well-being. Advocates, caregivers and concerned citizens must raise their voices. Demand that Congress preserve the Older Americans Act, protect aging programs and honor the commitment we've made to support Americans as they age. The future of aging in this country depends on well-coordinated care and support. We will all need this care and support in the future, if we don't already. Nathan Boucher is associate professor of medicine, nursing, and public policy at Duke University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Trump's budget: Senior care will shrink even as America's older population grows
The Trump administration's fiscal 2026 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services delivers a devastating blow to the very foundation of aging services in America. By breaking apart the coordination and delivery of programs under the Older Americans Act, the administration is jeopardizing the health, independence and dignity of millions of older adults and their caregivers. At the core of this proposal is the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living, the agency that has effectively administered the Older Americans Act for over a decade. Instead of preserving the coordinated structure that allows for comprehensive, community-based services, the plan would scatter Older Americans Act programs across different agencies under the Health and Human Services umbrella. Some services, such as nutrition programs, would be moved to the Administration for Children and Families, while others — including caregiving, elder rights, transportation and health promotion — would shift to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This fragmentation would severely undermine the coordinated approach that has made the Older Americans Act a success for nearly 60 years. The act was designed to be a comprehensive system of supports, offering older adults in every community access to a range of services to help them live safely and independently at home. From home-delivered meals and transportation to in-home assistance and caregiver respite, these services are interconnected. Breaking them apart will reduce their efficiency, create unnecessary bureaucracy and, ultimately, put older adults at risk. The impacts would be felt across our country. Older adults of every political persuasion could lose access to in-home help with bathing, dressing and chores. Rides to medical appointments and community centers could disappear. Family caregivers — who often provide more hours of care than formal systems combined — would lose access to respite and support services. Those in nursing homes would be left without protections, as elder abuse prevention programs are eliminated or severely cut. In addition to the structural overhaul, the proposed budget slashes or eliminates funding for a range of critical aging programs. The Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which connect individuals with essential services, would be eliminated entirely. The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which helps millions navigate complex Medicare options, would be defunded. And evidence-based wellness programs to prevent falls and manage chronic conditions would lose vital funding with the elimination of the Prevention and Public Health Fund. This is more than just a budget proposal, it's a roadmap to abandonment. The proposal ignores the demographic reality that 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Instead of scaling up support for this rapidly growing population, it proposes to reduce and fragment services, putting older adults at greater risk of institutionalization — often a more expensive and less desired outcome. The claim that Medicare and Medicaid will remain untouched offers little reassurance when the very programs that help prevent costly hospitalizations and nursing home placements are being dismantled. Programs under the Older Americans Act are not optional luxuries; they are essential services that support health, independence and quality of life for older Americans and their families. What's needed now is a unified system that keeps older adult services intact, coordinated and adequately funded. If reorganization must occur, all Older Americans Act programs should be consolidated under an agency like the Administration for Children and Families that can maintain a holistic, community-based approach. Splintering programs across agencies that lack aging expertise, like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, only creates confusion and weakens effectiveness. As Congress begins the fiscal 2026 budget process, the stakes couldn't be higher. Lawmakers must reject this disjointed approach and protect the services that help millions of older Americans thrive at home and in their communities. These are people we know and love; these are our friends, family and neighbors. Older adults deserve more than budget cuts and bureaucratic shuffle — they deserve dignity, support and a government that prioritizes their well-being. Advocates, caregivers and concerned citizens must raise their voices. Demand that Congress preserve the Older Americans Act, protect aging programs and honor the commitment we've made to support Americans as they age. The future of aging in this country depends on well-coordinated care and support. We will all need this care and support in the future, if we don't already.
