Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., reintroduced the Americans Giving Care to Elders Act to provide financial relief to caregivers by creating a tax credit for the costs of caring for an aging relative.
According to a news release, the AGE Act would allow families to qualify for a tax credit to help offset expenses-ranging from purchasing assistive technologies and devices, respite care, to making necessary home modifications-of up to $6,000 per year. Klobuchar first introduced the AGE Act in 2015. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
"We know that caregiving can be extremely expensive-especially when family members must quit a job or reduce hours in order to provide care," Klobuchar stated in the release. "To help ease the emotional and financial toll, the AGE Act would provide family caregivers with tax credits to offset the costs of care. We have to make sure the millions of family members who serve as caregivers for their aging loved ones are able to not just take care of others, but also themselves."
The AGE Act is endorsed by the American Heart Association, Alzheimer's Association, LeadingAge, and LeadingAge's Minnesota chapter.
