Irma Rappaport

Caregivers for Compromise

Irma Rappaport is a National Outreach Leader in Connecticut for The Essential Caregivers Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill that restores rights from the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, by allowing at least one resident-designated family member or friend “essential caregiver” in-person access to a loved one during a declared federal, state, or local emergency, while requiring them to follow the same safety protocols as staff. Almost 1/4 of the U.S. Representatives and Senators in Congress cosponsored the bill because of Irma’s leadership and advocacy, and she will continue to work on the bill until it passes. Irma received awards for her advocacy on behalf of long-term care residents and is known by legislators in all 50 states. Her advocacy resulted from the trauma she experienced from being denied in-person access to her mother, who died of dehydration and neglect because Irma could not assist her. Irma helped advocate and care for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s Disease, every day in a long-term care facility for 10 years, prior to the COVID pandemic. Irma is proud that all 5 U.S. Representatives and both Senators in Connecticut support the bill, as well as national organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association. Irma thanks Mary S. Daniel, the Founder of Caregivers For Compromise, and her fellow CT advocates, Liz Stern and Amy Badini, for their support and inspiration.