NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Renea Jones, R-Unicoi, has proposed legislation to support families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
The Caring for Caregivers Act, or House Bill 1443, creates a three-year pilot grant program to help caregivers with lost wages and expenses related to caring for a family member.
“Families across Tennessee are making incredible sacrifices to ensure their loved ones can remain at home and receive compassionate care,” Jones said. “The Caring for Caregivers Act was inspired by a constituent who shared his family’s experience caring for his grandfather with Alzheimer’s disease. This legislation seeks to ease the financial pressure caregivers often face and help them continue providing care at home.”
Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend with dementia, a contribution to the nation valued at more than $413 billion, according to a 2025 report by the Alzheimer’s Association.
Eligible participants must be caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or related dementia who needs help with at least two daily activities, such as walking or bathing, and lives in a private residence. Priority is given to lower-income families whose household income falls at or below the median income for their area.
Eligible expenses include home accessibility modifications, medical equipment or assistive technology, respite care and medical supplies like diapers or specialized bedding.
The proposal requests $600,000 for the first year of the program to be split evenly among grantees in the three regions of Tennessee. If passed, the program would run from July 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2029.
House Bill 1443 advanced out of the Government Operations Committee on March 9 and is expected to be heard in the Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on March 18.
Renea Jones represents District 4 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes Unicoi and part of Carter counties.
###