Rachel Blinn was only 21 years old when she sustained a serious brain injury during a car crash. Unable to walk or care for herself, the hospital was prepared to send Rachel to a nursing home. "And then I had someone who was saying, "Okay, I'll help you' and so April stepped up and she was willing to support me and help me."
April and Rachel were college roommates at the time. But with no training or guidance, the two young women struggled.
"Kinda scary because you did - there were times where - I have dropped her once and she was injured," says April Shade.
April was also injured and now suffers back pain from all the lifting.
Senate Bill 177, also known as the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act would make it less likely these things could happen. "Before the patient is discharged, the caregiver has to be trained in what it is that needs to be done,” says Diane Ross, CEO of the Continuum.
Training that would likely be provided by the hospital.
The Continuum in Reno offers physical therapy and adult day care. The majority of the elderly they serve have a caregiver.
"Empower the caregiver to have more information, to be better trained and so it ends up a win-win for everybody."
Jacob Harmon of the Alzheimer's Association adds, "Medication management is a really difficult thing for caregivers in particular to help their loved ones with.”
The Alzheimer's Association says support for the caregivers is vital.
Rachel Blinn wholeheartedly agrees. She says April's care has given her the will to fight for her recovery, but at a cost. “Over the past 12 years I've seen her decline in health while I've stabilized in health."
So today Rachel will continue to testify before lawmakers and tell her story because she knows a few simple tools can make a world of difference.
“An opportunity to care for the care-givers. To support them when they're giving up so much to care for somebody else's life."
The bill was written by the AARP, who estimates 500,000 Nevadans serving as caregivers. It passed the Senate unanimously earlier this month and was heard before an Assembly Committee on Monday afternoon.
