North Carolina Bulletin State News

By: States: North Carolina | Source: AARP.org

June 2008

Ratings rehashed – A rating system for adult care homes is now before the General Assembly following a spate of objections from the adult care home industry. The system, which is designed to put ratings in easily understandable terms, is slated to go into effect Jan. 1, 2009.  The rules for the system were adopted by the North Carolina Medical Care Commission and approved by the state’s Rules Review Commission. But industry representatives filed 10 letters opposing the new rules—enough to send the measure to lawmakers. The legislature is not required to take action, and if lawmakers do not pass changes, the rating system will stand and take effect as scheduled. AARP North Carolina favors the proposed new rules. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/nc.

April 2008

What workers think – In what AARP North Carolina believes is the first comprehensive survey of workers in the state, 79 percent of respondents said employers should be required to provide a minimum number of paid sick days for full-time employees. The survey of 800 workers age 30-plus also found that one in six is currently providing care to a family member or friend, with nearly 20 percent of those caregivers rating their employers as poor or fair in accommodating employees’ caregiving responsibilities. When the legislative session begins next month, lawmakers are expected to consider two measures that address these concerns. One bill (HB 1711) would require paid sick days; another (HB 96/SB 165) would allocate $500,000 for respite care and other services for people with dementia and their caregivers. For more results from the AARP survey, visit www.aarp.org/nc.