The Families Care Act amends the Older Americans Act to expand support services for family caregivers by adding peer support programs to the existing National Family Caregiver Support Program, alongside services like individual counseling. The legislation requires states to specifically consider the unique needs of caregivers in families affected by substance use disorders, including opioid addiction, when providing these services—a particularly important provision given the impact of the opioid crisis on families. The bill also modifies reporting requirements to direct the Assistant Secretary to regularly gather and disseminate information about caregiver services on an ongoing basis rather than on a fixed timeline. This legislation primarily affects state aging agencies, family caregivers (especially those caring for both children and older relatives), and families struggling with substance use issues. The bill does not specify new funding allocations, instead directing modifications to how existing programs under the Older Americans Act are structured and reported.
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