We Need to Deliver
The number of family caregivers means we need to have readily-available solutions to help them.
I led two Master Classes last week: one about the six caregiving stages and one about the 17 caregiving systems. I shared the latest version of the six stages concept I initially developed in 1997 and insights about how we can manage the complicated caregiving systems. (I’ll lead them again soon and will share new dates when I’ve scheduled them.)
It’s always so helpful for me to connect to a group of health care professionals and family caregivers to talk about caregiving issues. I gain an understanding of challenges and themes, which helps me create and improve my programs and solutions. Just about 100 individuals joined me during each program.
What struck me after these two programs is that what we saw coming so many years ago has arrived: Numbers. It’s been described a number of ways -- the eldercare cliff by my colleague Cali Williams Yost and the silver tsunami by Martha Stewart.
After launching a business to support family caregivers in 1995, I spent years educating others about the personal caregiving experience. When the pandemic hit, I noticed a significant shift from educating to discussing what family caregivers need. Now, we’re in the midst of a huge number of individuals doing it — managing (or about to manage) the intensity of a personal caregiving experience.
Attendees to my workshops last week included both family caregivers, former family caregivers who want to support current family caregivers and health care professionals who help family caregivers. Their engagement with the content says to me they welcome insights about their experiences, they want tools to help them manage, they need solutions for managing care and they crave compassion for their situations.
We need to be ready to deliver just that: insights, tools, solutions and compassion. We also need to be ready to deliver enough to all who need us.
The caregiving demand is here. It’s up to us to create the supply of solutions to meet that demand.
(Image by Davie Bicker from Pixabay.)
Resources
Attendees to last week’s workshops received a coupon code to enroll in our Certified Caregiving Guide program, which equips you to deliver the six stages workshop in your community and online. I’m happy to share that coupon code with you. Use coupon code 130 to receive a 20% discount on our Guide training. Coupon code expires at midnight on February 5.
The Caregiving Guide, Your go-to reference and companion
during all stages of your personal caregiving experience, the 10th edition of my book about the six caregiving stages, will be available on Feb. 19. The latest edition includes insights about the 17 caregiving systems and how to manage our caregiving waits and worries. When updating the book, I committed to creating a resource that family caregivers can pick up at any point, during any situation and while managing any experience to find ideas, information and comfort. Pre-order the Kindle version.
Our Winter 2024 edition of Impact Caregiving features interviews with others who serve family caregivers. You’ll meet collaborators, authors and creators who will inspire and empower you. To keep you connected to ideas and resources, we invite you to join us on May 11 for the Impact Caregiving, a virtual event.
To enjoy our virtual magazine and register to join us on May 11, visit Impact Caregiving on CaringOurWay.com.
Join our Caregiving Listener Project, which takes place on February 16, as a Volunteer Listening Artist or Story Teller.