It’s Time to Care for Caregivers: Senator Markey Announces Comprehensive Family Caregiving Legislative Agenda

Washington (November 20, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey, Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, today announced the reintroduction of his “Caring for Caregivers” legislative agenda to support the needs of family caregivers nationwide. The bills support family caregivers’ economic, physical, and emotional health through financial literacy resources, expansion of peer support services and respite care, and access to medically tailored meals.
“The work of family caregivers is personal for me. When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, my father cared for her in our home in Malden for thirteen years. My mother and father deserved better care and more support,”said Senator Markey. “It is time we invest in family caregivers what they invest into our loved ones. Family caregivers deserve to receive the recognition, services, supports, and resources they are due — that is why I am reintroducing my ‘Caring for Caregivers’ agenda.”
As part of his “Caring for Caregivers” agenda, Senator Markey is reintroducing a suite of legislation:
Several key stakeholders voiced their support for Senator Markey’s “Caring for Caregivers” agenda.
“Family caregivers are an essential structural component of our communities across the nation. They make it possible for all of us to live with dignity, independence, and connection as we age,”said James Appleby, BSPharm, MPH, ScD (Hon), CEO of the Gerontological Society of America. “This legislative package will enable caregivers to continue providing high-quality care while maintaining their own health and economic stability.”
“The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America believes additional caregiver support resources and making it easier for caregivers to connect with help and services are vital.Functioning properly, handling stress, and avoiding caregiver burnout is impossible without help and support. We thank Senator Markey, a former family caregiver himself, for reintroducing the ‘Caring for Caregivers’ agenda and working to enhance programs and resources which help those performing a true labor of love for their families,”said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President & CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
“Senator Markey’s ‘Caring for Caregivers’ package of legislation will make a positive impact on the over 300,000 family caregivers providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease in Los Angeles County. Family caregivers are the backbone of our long-term care system in America. It is imperative that we invest in our family caregivers, especially in their physical, mental, and financial health. We thank Senator Markey for making that investment, especially for our Alzheimer’s family caregivers,”said Joey Milne, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles.
“During National Family Caregivers Month, we commend Senator Markey for his comprehensive package of bills to improve the lives of family caregivers. It is a recognition on his part that with an estimated 63 million family caregivers a policy approach should not be piecemeal. All of what is proposed in the Markey caregiver package are urgent needs. Congress should act quickly to approve them.”saidBob Blancato, Executive Director at National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Program.
“UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is proud to support Senator Markey’s ‘Caring for Caregivers’ agenda. As every family touched by Alzheimer’s knows, caregivers are the backbone of our nation’s long-term care system—yet the burden of caregiving is not equal. Two-thirds of all caregivers are women, and too often they shoulder these responsibilities without the support and resources they need. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s applauds this renewed commitment to strengthening caregiver supports across the country, and we look forward to working with all of Congress to ensure families receive the help they need and deserve,”said Russ Paulsen, Chief Operating Officer of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.
Earlier this month, Senator Markeyintroducedthe National Family Caregivers Month resolution alongside Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). The resolution designates November 2025 as Family Caregiver Month and recognizes the contributions of family caregivers and acknowledges the work we have yet to accomplish for caregivers and their loved ones. You can read the resolution, which passed unanimously in the Senate on November 18,HERE.
Several provisions of Senator Markey’s “Caring for Caregivers” agenda were included in theOlder Americans Reauthorization Act of 2024. These provisions included home modifications to weatherize and improve air quality for older American’s homes, improve peer support and respite care for family caregivers, and expand medically tailored meals and produce prescription programs.
The bill also included provisions from Senator Markey’sAlleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act, which heintroducedalongside Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Language included in theOAAdirects federal agencies to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to identify where family caregivers face barriers in accessing government support.
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