PRESS RELEASE | August 04, 2020

Statement from LeadingAge on Introduction of The COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020

Contact: Lisa Sanders, lsanders@leadingage.org, 202-508-9407

Bipartisan Legislation from Senators Brown and Capito Provides Older Adults and their Caregivers with Support During Pandemic

Washington DC August 4, 2020 — Statement from Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services on today’s introduction of the COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020 (press release from Senator Brown here):

“The COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Act of 2020 provides much-needed, critical support to older adults and their caregivers as our country responds to the coronavirus pandemic. LeadingAge is proud to partner with Senators Brown (D-OH) and Capito (R-WV) on this legislation and, along with our partners, the Visiting Nurse Associations of America and ElevatingHOME, appreciates their leadership in taking action on this important piece of a national strategy that will ensure that older adults and their caregivers have access to necessary resources to get the best possible hospice care during this challenging healthcare crisis.”

Expected impact of the COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Act of 2020:

  • Allows for hospices to be more flexible and responsive to the needs of patients and their caregivers during this pandemic and in future emergencies
  • Allows for respite care to occur outside an inpatient setting during the emergency, ensuring that patients, families, and hospices can work together to make sure that respite care takes place in the best location for that patient and caregiver
  • Allows for hospice patients to receive up to 15 consecutive days of respite care which ensures they will receive the care needed if a caregiver is unavailable due to, for example, COVID-19 infection or the need to self-isolate after exposure
About LeadingAge:

We represent more than 5,000 aging-focused organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we address critical issues by blending applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building. We bring together the most inventive minds in our field to support older adults as they age wherever they call home. We make America a better place to grow old. For more information: www.leadingage.org.