July 2016 | 2016 Summer Newsletter
The new California Hospital & Family Caregiver Law will help ensure that the person you designate as your primary caregiver will have the information and training necessary to keep you healthy and safe after a hospital stay. This law:
- Requires California hospitals to record the name of your caregiver when you are admitted to a hospital, notify the caregiver when you are to be discharged, and provide detailed instruction on the medical tasks that the caregiver will perform.
- Requires this information to include, but not be limited to, education and counseling about your medications, including dosing and proper use of medication delivery devices, when applicable.
- Requires the information be provided in a culturally appropriate manner in a language that is understood by you and your caregiver, and includes an opportunity for the caregiver to ask questions.
- Requires hospital discharge planning policies to ensure that planning is appropriate to your condition, meets your needs, and is appropriate to the discharge destination.
The law continues to protect your rights by specifying that if a patient doesn’t want anyone listed as a caregiver, the hospital must note that on their chart. Hospitals must continue to follow privacy laws.
For more information please contact the AARP California Caregiving Support Center at (877) 333-5885 or visit their California Caregiver Resource webpage.