RAISE Act would help with mental illnesses

Caregiving can be an emotionally, physically and financially draining role. 

Across Washington state there are more than 335,000 people providing unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2016 alone, those caregivers provided an estimated 382 million hours of care, valued at $4.8 billion. Our family served as caregivers for my dad, who suffered from Alzheimer’s for at least five years. 

I am proud to advocate for the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, now moving through the U.S. Senate as Senate Bill 1028. This bipartisan bill would provide much needed support to our nation’s caregivers. 

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act is consistent with the national plan to address Alzheimer’s disease, which seeks to expand and enhance training, education and support for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Not all caregivers have the education and training necessary to ensure high quality care to Alzheimer’s patients, as was the case with my dad during the last six months of his life. 

Please join me in thanking Sen. Patty Murray for voting for the RAISE Act in committee and in urging Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to support this needed legislation in the coming months. 

Mark Newbold

Spokane