RAISE Act would help with mental illnesses

Caregiving can be an emotionally, physically and financially draining role.

Across Washington state there are more than 335,000 people providing unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2016 alone, those caregivers provided an estimated 382 million hours of care, valued at $4.8 billion. Our family served as caregivers for my dad, who suffered from Alzheimer’s for at least five years.

I am proud to advocate for the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, now moving through the U.S. Senate as Senate Bill 1028. This bipartisan bill would...