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By Jane Margesson,
AARP Maine Communications Director
Every day, 178,000 Mainers care for loved ones so they can remain in their own homes and communities. These heroes are called family caregivers.
If you are a caregiver, you understand the critical role you serve. You know that caregiving is often about a lot more than preparing meals or going to medical appointments. Although it can be rewarding, caregiving can also be demanding and stressful. Many of the caregivers we hear from report feeling overwhelmed which is why AARP Maine is engaging policy makers and community leaders to begin to address such challenges during this legislative session. We want to work with family caregivers across Maine to ensure that the supports needed to care both for their loved one and for themselves are in place.
During the next legislative session, AARP Maine staff and volunteers will be fighting for important legislation called a Caregiver Tax Credit. The Maine Caregiver Tax Credit would help relieve the cost burden many caregivers take on to assist their loved ones. Qualified expenses could include out-of-pocket costs for services and supports such as transportation, home modifications, assistive technology, and other necessities. The tax credit would also help family caregivers pay for respite and in-home health care so they can get relief from their caregiving responsibilities to refresh, recharge and manage other personal and professional responsibilities.
Help us fight for family caregivers and their loved ones, no matter where you live or how much time you have to give. Connect with AARP Maine by calling 207-776-6303 or emailing me@aarp.org. To share your family caregiving story, visit www.aarp.org/iheartcaregivers. I’ve shared my own story as a caregiver, and I hope you will, too.
