The CARE (Caregiver Advise Record Enable) Act Information Guide

What is the CARE Act?

A New York State public health law that requires a hospital to provide each patient or legal guardian with an opportunity to identify a caregiver prior to discharge. If the patient is discharged directly home, the caregiver may be trained in after-care tasks.

Before leaving the hospital, staff will contact the designated caregiver to provide instructions in all after-care tasks. This will often include instructions on your medications, follow up appointments and other important information regarding the recovery. We encourage caregivers to visit during special designated daily times for instruction on after-care tasks – and to ask questions and receive answers. Designated caregiver visiting hours are 7 days per week:

• 10 – 11 am
• 2 – 3 pm
• 8 – 9 pm

If a designated caregiver is unavailable during those hours, efforts will be made to accommodate.

For more information on the law, please refer to this link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/s676

Who can be a caregiver?

A caregiver can be anyone (such as a relative, partner, friend or neighbor) who will be helping the patient recover after they leave the hospital. The patient must sign a consent for the staff to provide personal health information to this person upon admission to the hospital.

What is the role of a caregiver ?

A caregiver will need to provide contact information (name, telephone #, email address) and be available to receive instructions from the hospital staff about any after-care tasks.

Does a caregiver have to be chosen?

No, patients can decline to designate a caregiver. Instructions related to after-care assistance will always be given to the patient and any available family/support person prior to leaving the hospital.

Common After-Care Tasks for the Caregiver