BY DANIEL GAITAN | daniel@lifemattersmedia.org

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton is backing a new tax break for people caring for sick and aging relatives.

At a town hall in Iowa this week, Clinton pitched a tax credit worth up to $1,200. She also proposed a change in Social Security rules that would allow unpaid family caregivers to receive credit for their work toward retirement benefits.

“Millions of families are struggling to provide care for their loved ones— for elderly parents and grandparents, and for family members with disabilities or with serious or chronic illnesses,” according to a press release.

Clinton is supporting a proposal from Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchur of Minnesota and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland. Their legislation would provide a maximum credit of $1,200 for those whose caregiving expenses reach $6,000, according to The Wall Street Journal. The value of the credit drops for upperincome families.

Clinton is also backing a funding increase for the federal Caregiver Respite program, which provides grants for rest and recreational activities for caregivers. Clinton will ask for $100 million over the course of ten years; this marks a major increase from current funding of $2 million a year and President Barack Obama’s budget request of $5 million a year.

“Caring for a sick family member day in and day out can exact a significant emotional and physical toll,” according to the press release. “Both caregiving family members, and those they care for, can benefit from occasional temporary relief.”

There are about 12 million people in the U.S. who need long-term care; that number is expected to grow to 27 million by 2050 as the baby boomer population ages.

The Clinton campaign could not be reached for comment.

John Schall, CEO of the Caregiver Action Network, said he believes Clinton’s proposals are a necessary step forward.

“Family caregiving is becoming the issue today that childcare was in the ’80s,” he told Life Matters Media. “The need is absolutely growing for family members to take care of their loved ones at home. The burden on them financially and emotionally is increasing.”

Schall said he hopes other politicians begin talking about the aging population and the burdens upon caregivers.

“Policymakers are going to have to address it,” he said. “I think you’re already beginning to see, slightly, more members of Congress talk about caregiving issues because now, like the rest of us, they’ve aged into family caregiving situations themselves.”

Troubling Statistics

Nationally, 45 million people provide care for the elderly, disabled and sick, according to a recent survey from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Unfortunately, many are overworked.

More than one-third of family caregivers have a full-time job, while 25 percent work part-time. Caregivers who work do so for about 35 hours per week on average.

The longer a caregiver has been providing care, the more likely she or he is to report fair or poor health.

Only half of caregivers report that their health is excellent or very good, while 17 percent describe it is fair or poor. By comparison, only 10 percent of the general adult population say their health is fair or poor.

“Unless you’re a caregiver, you don’t realize the work,” Schall said. “More than half of family caregivers are the ones managing medications and very sophisticated nursing tasks for their loved ones.”

– Hillary Clinton campaign