Imagine a World Where Every Caregiver Is Truly Protected: A Vision for the CARE Act

Mark Fukae
Apr 19
4 min read

By Mark Fukae, Director of Advocacy - Professionals Who Care

Working caregiver to my 93-year-old mother with end‑stage dementia and my wife's mother with complex healthcare issuesrving not only their own futures but the very fabric of our society.

Imagine a world where every caregiver is truly supported

Family caregivers are the backbone of our communities and our economy—but far too often, they must choose between providing essential care for their loved ones and advancing their own careers. Although Congress has not yet fully acknowledged the challenges faced by family caregivers, I am proud to propose the Caregiver Accommodations & Rights Expansion Act (CARE Act). Supported by Professionals Who Care, this transformative proposal aims to create a more business‑friendly and caregiver‑friendly environment by establishing uniform legal protections for family caregivers. Whether enacted as the Federal CARE Act or locally as the Colorado CARE Act, the proposal sets a new standard for flexible work arrangements and anti-discrimination measures.

How might our society and economy evolve if every caregiver were truly supported by uniform, comprehensive legal protections?

The CARE Act at a Glance

Identified Need & Purpose: While Congress has not formally recognized the full challenges faced by family caregivers, the CARE Act—proposed by me and supported by Professionals Who Care—identifies that caregivers constitute a significant portion of our workforce and play a vital economic role. This proposal seeks to set a national standard for flexible work arrangements and anti-discrimination measures, ensuring that caregivers can thrive both at work and at home.

Key Definitions & Provisions:

Family Caregiver: Clearly defined to protect those providing unpaid, essential care to children, elderly dependents, or family members with serious health conditions.
Caregiver Discrimination: Explicitly prohibits adverse employment actions based solely on one’s status as a family caregiver.
Reasonable Accommodations: Requires employers to offer adjustments that enable caregivers to balance work and family responsibilities.

What long-term benefits might we see in our workforce and communities once uniform, comprehensive protections for caregivers are adopted?

Visionary Scenarios: Imagining a CARE-Driven Future

To illustrate the potential impact of these proposals, consider the following fictitious scenarios—designed solely to envision a future with caregiver‑focused laws in place:

Scenario 1: A Working Mother Caring for a Child with Unique Medical Needs

Imagine Sarah—a dedicated professional and mother whose child has a rare neurological condition. Prior to the CARE Act, Sarah often faced the impossible choice between critical medical appointments and work deadlines. With the Federal CARE Act in place, Sarah benefits from:

Extended Parental and Caregiver Leave: Generous leave provisions afford her the time needed to bond with her child and manage emergencies without a stressful trade-off.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Remote work options and adjustable schedules empower Sarah to navigate her caregiving responsibilities without sacrificing her professional growth.

How would flexible support for caregivers like Sarah alter the trajectory of both their careers and family lives?

Scenario 2: An Employee Caring for a Parent with End‑Stage Dementia

Imagine John—an experienced professional who is the sole caregiver for his aging mother with advanced dementia. Under current conditions, John’s dual responsibilities risk burnout and potential job loss. The Colorado CARE Act transforms his reality by providing:

Reasonable Accommodations: Options for part‑time work and adjusted schedules enable him to care for his mother while continuing his career.
Increased Job Security: Guaranteeing robust legal protections against caregiver discrimination ensures that John's invaluable experience remains within his organization—preserving his expertise and contributing to long‑term stability.

How might preserving the careers of experienced caregivers like John enhance an organization's long‑term stability and innovation?

Scenario 3: A Business That Thrives on Supporting Caregivers

Imagine Acme Innovations, a forward‑thinking company that fully embraces CARE Act principles. By implementing policies such as generous leave and flexible scheduling for caregivers, Acme Innovations experiences:

Increased Employee Retention & Productivity: Reduced burnout and higher engagement lead to lower turnover rates and richer institutional knowledge.
Financial Gains: Retaining experienced employees translates into enhanced innovation and a competitive market edge.
Enhanced Civic Participation: Employees enjoy the freedom to engage in civic duties—from voting to community engagement—without the stress of conflicting work obligations.

In what ways would businesses, like Acme Innovations, benefit financially and culturally from a supportive environment rooted in the CARE Act’s principles, knowing that there are no extra burdens—only incentives—to adopt these progressive practices?

What Could a CARE-Driven World Look Like?

In a future defined by the CARE Act:

Employees Are Thriving: Caregivers—whether like the fictitious Sarah or John, or as part of Acme Innovations’ team—are empowered to balance their work and home lives without compromise.
Institutions Benefit: Businesses enjoy enhanced retention, continued innovation, and strengthened competitive advantages as experienced talent remains secure.
Society Remains Inclusive: Robust legal protections ensure that civic participation and democratic engagement persist, reinforcing the social fabric of our communities.

How might our economy and society evolve if every caregiver—regardless of individual challenges—were given the protections they need to succeed?

Call to Action

The Federal CARE Act and the Colorado CARE Act, as proposed by me and championed by Professionals Who Care, represent a bold vision for the future—a future where every caregiver is protected, valued, and empowered. By preserving core ADA protections while introducing detailed training, funding, and civic participation accommodations, these proposals set new standards for fairness and inclusivity.

I invite you to join our movement:

Sign Our Petitions: Support the Federal CARE Act and Colorado CARE Act.
Share Your Story: Use #CaregiverRights and #YourVoiceMatters to share how caregiving has shaped your life.
Engage With Our Advocacy Network: Follow us on social media and join discussions on the Professionals Who Care website.