The Legislature finds all of the following:

(a) Across California, approximately 4,500,000 family caregivers support adult loved ones who seek to remain at home and avoid institutionalization. Of these, more than 1,100,000 family caregivers are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, usually with little support or training.

(b) Caring for a loved one with a cognitive disorder or another disabling condition can be very challenging, causing financial pressure, health problems, and emotional distress.

(c) The California Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) provide services to family caregivers of adults affected by chronic and debilitating health conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular diseases, degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury, among others.

(d) California’s CRC system supports caregivers in their critical and increasingly complex roles through assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal or financial consultation. These supports are important in helping caregivers navigate the complex health and social needs of loved ones.

(e) The CRC network is vital to supporting California’s 4,500,000 diverse caregivers, which will only continue to grow as the state’s population ages.

(f) The state shall support family caregivers by funding and implementing the California CRCs.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 50, Sec. 39. (SB 187) Effective June 30, 2022.)