FROM STAFF REPORTS

BIRMINGHAM – To honor their work supporting Alabama’s family caregivers during the 2018 session, AARP Alabama recognized state Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, and state Rep. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, as “Capitol Caregivers” at the Shelby County Chamber 2019 Alabama Legislative Preview Event.

AARP’s 2018 “Capitol Caregivers” are a bipartisan group of 65 elected officials from 24 states. These leaders have advanced policies that support family caregivers, who help their parents, spouses and other loved ones live independently at home and in the community.

“AARP Alabama thanks Senator McClendon and Representative Weaver for championing the Nurse Signature Act,” said Candi Williams, state director of AARP Alabama, which serves more than 440,000 Alabamians age 50 and older. “They provided key leadership to pass this common-sense legislation and to help make family caregivers’ many responsibilities a little bit easier.”

The Nurse Signature Act made a simple change that will reduce time spent on paperwork and increase efficiencies by allowing providers more opportunities to see patients and deliver needed care. Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill into law in March of 2018.

The Shelby County Event was held at Jefferson State Community College’s Shelby Campus on Thursday, Feb. 22, and featured most of the Shelby County Legislative delegation. AARP Alabama was the event’s sponsor.

Almost 761,000 Alabamians provide unpaid care for their older parents, spouses and other loved ones—valued at $7.7 billion in Alabama annually. They help with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, managing finances, transportation, grocery shopping and more.

“AARP Alabama will continue to advocate for family caregivers and their loved ones in the upcoming 2019 session,” stated Williams. “We are excited to work with Representative Weaver on her pre-filed Nurse Compact bill that will ease red tape and increase access for Alabamians, particularly in rural and underserved areas