[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6479998,"mediaKeyId","5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8","parentId",5691973,"title","Georgia Senate study committee hears wide-ranging testimony on family caregiving needs","audioSeconds",6867,"startMs",2861000,"endMs",9728000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8&start=2861&end=9728","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8/thumbnail_2861000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479998/Georgia/Georgia-Senate-study-committee-hears-wide-ranging-testimony-on-family-caregiving-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479998-a2832e7e96a0eedda2e653e709924f30/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742598&Signature=Zx1CyvAmyqKr7z3DcxZ~tA2ZbIpTtC9eXNDvinXFfaRQQ62HIdG825L-pIADliEt-VHMNahN3efoES-JogHOzWQUzKzg2oCtLP0bqrtWVv2ma-SeyKCkEtIEmpxSrjHt6zGRW9regIF9ktEAeHq0Pt5fHufBtgyw0l7mojj6vPnQRYOIAYwtpY8um4YwMatu0HrMSeuSEv11JFQP4FijFxe4QqExhp--eQFdfk-q6-aqh0sJ1S-PWZ0UP8c70ETOyEopbuvyXkfjPMJ3VUEPbt3t12TYWsiLzoLf7jWVSgaTPi14YcketGjZqIsilEs2lVC~4oh9gdvJdW0ZaNPnmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-08-27T19:06:50Z","article","State senators convened a Senate Study Committee meeting in Augusta to examine family caregiving needs across Georgia, hearing detailed testimony on the scale of unpaid caregiving, gaps in services, workforce shortages and programs already operating in the state.

State Senator Harold Jones, who opened the session as the committee chair, said the panel’s charge is to “bring attention to this issue” and to identify practical options lawmakers could consider. Multiple presenters described caregiving as a common, long-term responsibility: Wallace White of AARP cited the 2025 AARP/National Alliance for Caregiving report estimating roughly 63 million family caregivers nationwide and said family caregiving often amounts to a full-time job. Deborah Minor, aging services director at the Area Agency on Aging (Triple-A) for the Central Savannah River Area, reviewed U.S. and Georgia census data showing a rapidly growing older population and noted particular strain in rural counties.

The hearing highlighted several existing programs and training efforts. Dr. Ken Hepburn of Emory University described Georgia MemoryNet, a statewide network of memory assessment clinics that provides definitive diagnosis, caregiver assessments and a “caregiving road map” that links families to local services and primary-care providers. He also described the Savvy Caregiver training (a six‑session group curriculum now offered virtually through Georgia MemoryNet) as a tool that increases caregivers’ knowledge, confidence and emotional well-being.

Speakers representing nonprofit and advocacy groups — including Wallace White (AARP), Jennifer Pennington of Via Cognitive Health, Alexis Williams of the Alzheimer’s Association and Beverly Berry of the Alzheimer’s Association national office — summarized community resources, educational materials, caregiver guides and local support groups. Jennifer Pennington described Via Cognitive Health in Augusta as a campus for brain‑health services and caregiver support and said families often find practical help and respite there. Presenters repeatedly emphasized that caregivers need reliable in‑home services, training, respite and clearer pathways to local resources.

Researchers on the panel highlighted disparities and research gaps. Dr. Karen Moss (Ohio State University) and Dr. Robert Turner (George Washington University/Duke University affiliate) focused on dementia prevalence in Georgia and on the mental‑health and cognitive impacts of caregiving. They and Beverly Berry emphasized that Black Americans face elevated dementia risk and that Black caregivers — and Black men in particular — are underrepresented in research and often face additional barriers to care and support.

Public commenters described the lived experience of caregiving and urged policy change. Several family members said they lacked clear discharge training from hospitals and recommended policies requiring hospitals and discharge planners to connect families to caregiver training and community resources before patients leave acute care. One public commenter, Katrina Holmes, urged reexamining Medicare and rehabilitation coverage rules so patients can access a longer, need‑based rehabilitation stay rather than prolonged acute‑care days, arguing that stronger rehab access would reduce family burden.

Committee members said they will use the testimony to develop future hearings with focused themes — including workforce and economic support. Senator Jones said subsequent meetings will consider direct‑pay caregiver models used in other states and other solutions raised in the hearing.

The session compiled a broad factual record: presenters supplied national and Georgia statistics on aging and caregiving, described community programs that are active now, and identified gaps in access, training and paid supports that could guide future legislative options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiver Services","oneSentenceSummary","State senators convened a Senate Study Committee hearing in Augusta to gather testimony on family caregiving services, hearing that unpaid caregivers, workforce shortages and rural access gaps strain families across Georgia.","taxTitle","Senate Study Committees, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",29138,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6479983,"Researchers and advocates urge focus on Black caregivers and Black men’s caregiving needs and research inclusion",2577,6093000,8670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8&start=6093&end=8670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8/thumbnail_6093000.jpg","/articles/6479983/Georgia/Researchers-and-advocates-urge-focus-on-Black-caregivers-and-Black-mens-caregiving-needs-and-research-inclusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479983-50652a9bd5565cf3f53cec3b5f7ff3f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742598&Signature=gNRUXsCu-JrY5XAOrJjCklWGOzo7sLAXfmv4L82LDwz8kgmrJheuEaMLwm54FvICanEpZfRunN7~2FVDzcz6bgvB4F4vRkxvDTSxqAwPnlB2Pz~ZqbLJXMQbcYgjNv3nIzEQh3TeLj-GAPY61hTrw7qNiim~Rq-34x2Vgj10MM3eWejMv1kSolA4OlZMmsjuC1WQ~aQvWFFVTH~JFYRtsKtpeCoB54~MsxV0S~93SVUvrimuI6RqTK04SQ3470qUA9o7G4M5uZquKS6553z9ENNwyUjFTVlmwK6i5Sbe~Ug1b3MtrYgqJUeCL5h0M7Cs-PMcl05knorH-ThOWXktiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Researchers and advocates urged the Senate study committee to address racial disparities in dementia prevalence, caregiver burden and research participation.

Dr. Karen Moss (Ohio State University) and Dr. Robert Turner (George Washington University/Duke affiliate) described epidemiologic evidence that dementia prevalence is higher in Black and Latino populations and emphasized that rural and minority communities bear a disproportionate burden. Dr. Moss noted that many Black caregivers — including Black men — are underrepresented in research and that the numbers in public datasets are likely undercounts because of reporting and outreach gaps.

Dr. Robert Turner described findings from his research and outreach work showing that Black male caregivers report higher rates of stress, depression and financial burden and are less likely than other groups to be enrolled in clinical research. He said cultural norms, historic underinclusion and the lack of trusted outreach account for part of the low participation rates, but that targeted, community‑based approaches (including faith‑based outreach and events that meet men where they are) substantially increase engagement.

Beverly Berry of the Alzheimer’s Association highlighted the association’s 2021 report on race and dementia and said African Americans report higher perceived discrimination in health care and a belief that medical research is biased against people of color. Panelists recommended culturally tailored outreach, inclusion of faith and community leaders, recruitment of diverse investigators, and more community‑based trials so that interventions and services reflect the needs of the populations they will serve.

Committee members acknowledged the gaps and asked researchers and advocates to supply evidence‑based outreach models and metrics the committee could use to evaluate proposed investments.","Panelists told the Senate study committee that Black Americans face higher dementia prevalence and caregiver burden, that Black caregivers are more likely to experience financial and emotional strain, and that Black men are underrepresented in dementia research and support programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6479988,"Experts highlight Georgia MemoryNet, caregiver training and community day programs as key supports",1096,7240000,8336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8&start=7240&end=8336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8/thumbnail_7240000.jpg","/articles/6479988/Georgia/Experts-highlight-Georgia-MemoryNet-caregiver-training-and-community-day-programs-as-key-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479988-520a56bfad88fe9062fa46e89ecce685/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742598&Signature=nGxJU9vUcFmMc7--y5uVPqbI7qHPmNWM5vubrYvLu-MdJzolb0hn2MhpBUFO-qWeUTy6waiPGCXityxBSTpGli9uqYpCC4lq4Tq8Uda5pKDLfclGIUtCfukO10h6bXBqsjljNsJMrsPtx7Sao5XBjhO5PSEhYBDkSTKxKqeAyeiRYou5MQXTXTFMoHgXAW6JUDFe6Wvmt4MwzOSiHFvckDGI8sSoI8N4jaydSt12eAlrrLgqGaB7BYVJ~Al2DWksdLMRdnYPYDKfXKOSQLmIpZJQBsupOyt53rDDmxLm9bok8t8GY4TPTAf~Gynfgc13xoksBAsphk2uxwlsvI972A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Researchers and program directors told the Senate study committee that existing diagnostic networks and caregiver training programs provide concrete supports but need more capacity and better outreach to reach rural and underserved families.

Dr. Ken Hepburn of Emory University described Georgia MemoryNet as a statewide network of memory assessment clinics, with a coordinated protocol of neuropsychological and caregiver assessments, a community service educator who maps local resources and an ongoing consultation link to primary‑care providers. Hepburn said MemoryNet’s clinics provide an hour‑plus patient assessment and deliver follow‑up diagnoses and individualized care plans to families and providers, a process designed to strengthen local primary‑care responses and reduce fragmentation of services.

Hepburn also described the Savvy Caregiver program, developed by his colleagues as a six‑session, two‑hours‑per‑week training series (now available virtually in many communities) that trials show increases caregivers’ sense of competence and reduces emotional burden. He said Georgia MemoryNet partners already offer Savvy workshops and that sessions fill quickly.

Local providers described community day programs and resource navigation. Jennifer Pennington, executive director of Via Cognitive Health in Augusta, said her campus offers brain‑health programming, care‑partner support and a day program that improved both members’ sleep and family caregivers’ ability to rest. Panelists from the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP described caregiver resource guides, online videos, local support groups and state‑level planning (the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan and an inaugural report required by House Bill 571) that aggregate needs and recommend priorities.

Presenters uniformly stressed workforce and access constraints: rural counties have fewer clinicians and memory clinics, and many caregivers do not receive any formal medical or practical training for ADLs and other tasks. Panelists recommended expanding training, increasing telehealth and tele‑Savvy delivery, and ensuring primary‑care points‑of‑contact share MemoryNet and local resources at the initial diagnosis and hospital discharge.

The committee heard caregiver testimony that community day programs and local navigation materially eased caregiver burnout and improved family outcomes; program directors offered to provide model curricula and metrics to committee staff.","Researchers and service providers told the Senate study committee that Georgia MemoryNet, caregiver training programs such as Savvy Caregiver, and local day‑programs like Via Cognitive Health provide diagnostic, training and respite services caregivers need — but demand outstrips capacity, especially in rural counties.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6479993,"Public commenter urges overhaul of Medicare rehab limits, tells Senate study committee family care gaps widen when rehab ends early",296,14900000,15196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8&start=14900&end=15196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691973-2f940b9a8132e7707cf3ff51a3926ff8/thumbnail_14900000.jpg","/articles/6479993/Georgia/Public-commenter-urges-overhaul-of-Medicare-rehab-limits-tells-Senate-study-committee-family-care-gaps-widen-when-rehab-ends-early","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479993-873e97083bc78978b9ca2e2528dc674d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742598&Signature=nos-Dsm0RffbPqS5QegsLEz9O2R9wDv2O4LPAtAQAaY~ufUgzjgGMeNTSeyGOxv7~LP5cM5SLVUfSNZ1QjSmWtJBXXo5tXOOh1mu7m8w6TSxvxTDK2Lz24-OpRKxOfK-cULA0VM1AbK7yYwsGxk19MIkPs2mrD8aCAJrkdL3Od-Y8VUgHbtR0iC8zrTaQUx933F1HaAUbz~ptZyvQTDBBgPRtyaL7~i2A9kupXOcpj7sR~ZNlu5nvfn~TAlRGy8GhuWynJGphrAlnIsVRIEmJOCqjFBUhgn0aAbmBd2eL45nRdezu7VukhLGsmVnB6kizxX-Mb0P9UvLKnPJI5~klg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katrina Holmes, a family caregiver who testified during public comment, urged the Senate study committee to reexamine Medicare coverage rules that she said leave patients in acute hospital beds longer and then discharge them to families before functional recovery is complete.

Holmes described her family’s decade of caregiving after her father suffered a massive stroke and identified specific Medicare provisions she said contribute to the problem: inpatient hospital days, limited rehabilitation coverage, and lifetime limits on some psychiatric care. In her testimony she summarized Medicare rules as they relate to benefit periods across acute care, skilled nursing and psychiatric stays and said those rules, as applied in practice, result in too few rehabilitation days for full recovery and too many days in higher‑cost acute care beds.

Holmes proposed that policy be changed to shorten medically unnecessary acute hospital stays, extend rehabilitation coverage based on clinical need and tie psychiatric coverage to clinical indications rather than rigid lifetime caps. She argued the proposed changes would better align Medicare spending with patient recovery: longer, need‑based rehab stays would improve functional outcomes, reduce family caregiving burdens and be cost‑effective compared with extended inpatient hospital days.

Senators and witnesses at the hearing acknowledged the concern and noted it as an example of discharge‑planning and benefit design problems that can raise family caregiver burden. Committee members said they would use such testimony in future hearings on the economic and workforce aspects of caregiving.","A public speaker told the Georgia Senate study committee that Medicare’s current limits on rehabilitation coverage can leave families to provide intensive care at home and asked lawmakers to consider changing benefit rules so rehabilitation is need‑based rather than restricted by lifetime caps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Georgia Senate study committee hears wide-ranging testimony on family caregiving needs

Researchers and advocates urge focus on Black caregivers and Black men’s caregiving needs and research inclusion

Experts highlight Georgia MemoryNet, caregiver training and community day programs as key supports

Public commenter urges overhaul of Medicare rehab limits, tells Senate study committee family care gaps widen when rehab ends early