| This paper examines caregiving legislation introduced and passed by federal lawmakers between 1900 and 2010 as a way to determine societal attitudes toward family caregivers. Primary sources, including federal bills, census data, and testimony from Congressional hearings, as well as secondary sources were consulted as part of this study. Analysis of the source data revealed that federal legislation to benefit family caregivers was not proposed until the mid-1980s. Of the legislation proposed just three pieces became law, and they are limited in application and inadequately funded. Consequently, the study concludes that societal support for family caregivers between 1900 and 2010 has not been strong. Among the implications of this for social work policy and practice is a need for social workers to advocate for the passage of comprehensive, well-funded legislation to benefit family caregivers and to establish a national long-term care system that does not presume or require that services be provided by family caregivers. |
