Policy Foundations of Family-Centered Care in the Hospital

A group of hands on top of one another symbolizing a team. The bottom hand had a patient wrist band attached.

The Caregiver Advice, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, developed by AARP, is model legislation that strengthens hospital discharge planning and care transitions by formally recognizing the role of family caregivers. Enacted in 44 states and territories, the CARE Act applies across all diagnoses and age groups, helping hospitals standardize caregiver inclusion and improve patient outcomes.

Explore Key Practices

This publication highlights practical strategies to enhance patient and family engagement. Learn more about how to:

Identify and engage family caregivers early in the hospital stay to ensure they are informed and prepared for postdischarge responsibilities.
Document caregiver information in the EHR to support coordinated communication and continuity of care across the care team.
Provide tailored instruction and training on medical and nursing tasks caregivers will perform at home, using teach-back methods and culturally responsive materials.
Collaborate across disciplines to align discharge planning with caregiver readiness and patient goals.
Leverage technology and community partnerships to extend caregiver support beyond discharge, especially for high-risk or underserved populations.
Track caregiver education and outcomes to improve care quality, reduce readmissions, and enhance patient and caregiver satisfaction.

Explore the full publication to understand the supporting evidence and learn how to implement each approach effectively in your care setting.

Find all the publications in AARP’s Promising Practices Publication Series for Health Care Leaders.

MORE ABOUT THE CARE ACT:

CARE Act Implementation

Read About Early CARE Act Implementation Progress

A Caregiver’s Story

Hear How the CARE Act Helped One Family

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Policy Foundations of Family-Centered Care in the Hospital

The Caregiver Advise Record Enable (CARE) Act

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