Embracing the Caregivers in Our Midst
Villages are uniquely positioned to give care to their caregiver members, supporting them and welcoming their loved ones to village activities. Public health guidelines and shelter-in-place orders have isolated caregivers and care receivers. As a result, staying connected to caregivers has been especially important during the COVID 19 pandemic. Zoom and online programs that enable people to make contact have opened doors to support that was previously unavailable and may well continue in post-pandemic times.
Workshop Series
The four part series features a range of topics covered by noted experts and village leaders. All workshops are recorded. There is no cost to register.
Family Caregiver Challenges and Opportunities features Dr. Donna Benton, Director of the USC Family Caregiver Support Center and Professor at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology (Video recording here)
Developing a Caregiver Support Group features Esther Gillies and Monica Hubbard, founders and members of the Pasadena Village Caregiver Support Group (Video recording here).
Caring from the Heart: Caregiving for a Loved One with Dementia will feature Wayne April, former caregiver and retired Kaiser Permanente gerontology social worker. (Video recording here).
Love in the Time of Chronic Illness: Active Strategies for Caregivers and Care Receivers will feature Barbara Kivowitz, author, caregiver, and health care consultant. (Video recording here).
Support Group Toolkit
The Village Caregiver Support Group Toolkit offers guidelines for organizing a village social support group, along with information and resources offered by caregiving organizations. A village-based group has many advantages as it is founded on the affinity group members have developed through being a part of the village community. Having group members who know their partners or family members may add an extra dimension of compassion and support. It is available to members of Village Movement California. Scroll down to join.
Resources
We recommend that villages build relationships with organizations serving caregivers. Here are some national and statewide organizations. The Toolkit contains regional and local organizations.
- 211 – Local information & referral phone line – check your county for the sponsoring agency
- AARP Caregiving Resources
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Alzheimer’s LA
- Area Agency on Aging – check for your county
- Caring Across Generations
- Department of Aging and Adult Services
- Diverse Elders Coalition
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
- Regional Family Caregiver Center
- Rosalynn Carter Caregivers Institute
