Take Action!
Help Protect Veteran Caregivers
In July, The Independence Fund held a Virtual Town Hall Event on Veteran Caregivers featuring Congressman Richard Hudson and Congresswoman Kathleen Rice (recording available HERE). The Independence Fund hopes the Town Hall motivates you to weigh in and make real change happen! Even if you don’t have the time to watch the video, The Independence Fund still needs your help NOW! We urgently need you to click through the following link to send a letter to your Congressional Representative, urging him or her to get the House Veterans Affairs Committee to pass H.R. 5701 (Care for the Veteran Caregivers Act of 2020) as soon as possible.
Click the red link below to learn about the need in greater detail
and access a copy of the letter you would be sending.
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"According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP’s Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 report, there are 9.5 million more Americans caring for a family member than there were just five years ago. More than 1 in 5 Americans now serve as caregivers for a family member. The study also finds that the health of family caregivers has declined since 2015. There is no sugarcoating it: Caregiving is a difficult task.
But caring for a loved one also offers many rewards. A 2014 survey from the Pew Research Center revealed that far more American caregivers found the experience rewarding (88%) than stressful (32%). In the 2017 National Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan, 85% of respondents rated caregiving as very or somewhat rewarding.
Here are nine ways to find comfort and joy from caring for others."
From: NextAvenue | September 24, 2020
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Women’s Retirement Outlook Amid COVID-19
"One in four women workers (24 percent) who are employed or recently unemployed say their confidence in their ability to retire comfortably has declined amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Women and Retirement: Risks and Realities Amid COVID-19, a study released today by nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS).
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... 'A woman’s path to a secure retirement is filled with obstacles, such as lower pay and time out of the workforce for parenting or caregiving, which can negatively impact her long-term financial situation,' said Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Institute® and TCRS. 'Amid the pandemic, these challenges have intensified with layoffs, furloughs, and extended periods of time working from home.'"
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From: Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies | September 17, 2020
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New Grants Approved by JAHF Board of Trustees
"The John A. Hartford Foundation Board of Trustees has approved funding for three grants totaling $1,399,883 to improve care for older adults and family caregivers."
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The following organizations will receive funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation to improve and increase resources and research for caregivers:
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Click the red link below to learn more about how each organization will use their funding.
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From: The John A. Hartford Foundation News | September 17, 2020
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September Is Pain Awareness Month! |
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Did you know that caregivers are 35 to 50 percent more likely to experience chronic pain? It is imperative to the health of people living with pain, and those who care for them, that we expand access to more effective, long-lasting, and non-addictive treatment options for pain. We need to give caregivers a voice in treatment access decisions. Join the conversation by Tweeting #PainAwarenessMonth in September!
This month, NAC joined Pfizer in raising the voices of caregivers and patients dealing with chronic pain in their video series on the impact of chronic pain due to Osteoarthritis. In recognition of Pain Awareness Month, C. Grace Whiting, President and CEO of NAC, sat down with an individual who has OA and her daughter to discuss the impact that chronic pain due to OA can have – not only on someone’s day-to-day activities, but also their relationships.
Click the link below to listen to their discussion on living with OA.
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For more resources on pain management this month, check out:
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Alliance for Balanced Pain Management - Coalition Website
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NAC Public Comments to CDC on Opioids and Pain Management
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AARP State C.A.R.E. Act - This has been passed or implemented in roughly 44 states with varying success and strives to help caregivers transition their care recipient from home to hospital and vice versa. See how the state of New York has implemented the C.A.R.E. Act HERE.
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American Society on Aging: Season 2 of Future Proof
Available to Watch on YouTube
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The American Society on Aging (ASA) believes work on racial justice can no longer remain at the margins for those of us who work to improve the lives of older people in this country. Season 2 of Future Proof centered on Equity and Justice is now available on YouTube.
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Now Enrolling! Collaborative Approach for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Research and Education (CARE) - Online
The CARE Registry is specifically designed to increase Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) participation and representation in research. This is an opportunity for AAPI to participate in important research that may affect us, our parents, children, and grandchildren. If you identify yourself as an Asian, Asian American and/or Pacific Islander, 18+ years old, can speak and read English, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Vietnamese, or Korean, and are interested in participating in potential research projects, please check out the red link below!
To register, you will need to complete a brief online survey (or by phone), and receive $10 as a thank you.
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Emerging Supports for Family Caregivers: Effects of Hospital Visitor Restrictions on Older Adults, Families, and Providers
September 29th | 12:00 PM EST | Online
AARP Public Policy Institute invites you to a series of conversations with healthcare leaders innovating on hospital front lines in support of family caregivers. Join AARP for the first virtual event on Tuesday, September 29th at 12:00 PM EST to discuss the impact of hospital visitation restrictions during COVID-19. Hear from system leaders who nimbly adapted in crisis times to better support patients, family caregivers and hospital staff.
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Care and Share: Our Big Ideas
Octobre 5-9, 2020 | Online
We need change. We need to create a better way to care for our family caregivers and former family caregivers. The Caregiving Years Training Academy will gather virtually for five days at 1:00 PM EST beginning October 5th to share their big ideas to create change.
The session will be recorded. Registration is free; CEUs available for some health professionals for an additional charge of $20.
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Enter Artwork for the 2020 Rare Artist Contest
Deadline: October 1, 2020 | 5 PM EST
The Rare Artist Program raises awareness about rare diseases by amplifying stories through art. Participating in the Rare Artist Contest is getting your voice heard. Anyone connected to the rare disease community can submit artwork; including caregivers, patients, physicians, siblings and friends. Anyone who is ages 4+ can enter. You do not need to be a professional artist or hold any sort of credentials in order to enter the contest.
If you do not have a Facebook account or do not wish to participate in the public vote Facebook category, you can enter by emailing lcundiff@everylifefoundation.org.
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Amgen's Virtual Health Equity 2020 Summit
October 22, 2020 | 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM EST | Online
Join Amgen on October 22nd for a virtual health equity summit to learn insights and best practices to overcome structural barriers to quality medical care among communities of color.
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C-TAC National Summit on Advanced Illness Care
October 27-30, 2020 | Online
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to long-standing problems in our healthcare system which keep the most vulnerable among us from receiving high-quality care. The Summit will tackle pressing issues in serious illness care through the lens of health equity.
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2020 CENSUS: LAST CHANCE
Deadline: September 30, 2020
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The 2020 Census will conclude data collection operations on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Over 84.1% of housing units have been counted in the 2020 Census as of September 1st, with 19.0% counted by census takers and other field data collection operations, and 65.1% of housing units responding online, by phone or by mail. It's not too late to participate in the 2020 Census and to have your voice heard! |
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Census takers are coming to homes to help you complete the 2020 Census. The process is quick and can be done at a safe distance. All census takers will be required to wear masks while conducting their work to help you complete your census form safely.
Don’t risk an undercount in our community, which could result in loss of funding for the next 10 years. The power to shape your community is in your hands. Learn more and take the Census online today.
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WEBINAR RECORDING AVAILABLE
Medicare and Caregivers
This presentation, from the Center for Medicare Advocacy, explored the role Medicare does, and could, play in supporting older and disabled beneficiaries and their caregivers.
Presented by Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director and Associate Director David Lipschutz.
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FOLLOW US TO STAY CURRENT ON CAREGIVING! |
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