Q. Who are you caring for?
A. My father.

Q. How long have you been caring for him?
A. Since 2020.

Q. What type of condition or illness does he have?
A. A number of things, including respiratory issues and cardiac stents due to three heart attacks 

Q. What has your caregiving experience taught you about yourself?
A. I never imagined the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that come with caregiving, yet each day I find the strength. Faced with constant uncertainty, difficult decisions, and stressful situations, I have learned to pivot and adapt.

Q. If you had one piece of advice for those in the throes of caregiving, what would it be?
A. Be patient with yourself and trust that resilience is often discovered, not chosen. Show yourself the same kindness you would offer someone else, and remember that you are doing your best, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Hidalith Rincon recently provided support for her dad Nereo during a medical exam. 

Siblings Caring for Grandma Become Advocates for Others

Charlie and A.J. Poole were merely children when they began to care for their grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer’s. Today, they are advocates for the 5.4 million kids and teens across the U.S. who also take on caregiving roles.

As longtime representatives of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, they have created KidsAreCaregiversToo.com, a platform dedicated to shedding light on the experiences of young caregivers.

Their journey highlights an escalating crisis depicted in the “Caregiving” documentary, which reveals the often-overlooked challenges faced by young caregivers, illustrating the immense responsibilities many children bear in silence.

Meet Charlie and A.J.

Working Caregivers: You Can Make an Impact Too
Your Stories Need to be Told

CareScout, an organization that supports the aging population, has joined forces with Share More Stories to conduct a study of working caregivers. If you’re a current or former working caregiver, this is your chance to tell your story.  Help researchers understand the genuine stress, challenges, and duties that come with juggling work and caregiving, and in the process contribute to more meaningful and supportive caregiving resources.
Share Your Caregiving Story With CareScout!

Submissions that meet project criteria will receive a $25 gift card upon approval, as a gesture of thanks for your participation. Please review the Incentives Terms and Conditions for more information.

Food Fact or Fiction?
Separate the science from nutrition nonsense

Nurturing healthy eating habits is essential for everyone, yet it can be particularly daunting for family caregivers. A loved one may require a specific diet or have preferences for certain foods. With limited time and energy, it can feel overwhelming. This is precisely why understanding nutritional truths and maximizing what we nourish our bodies with has become increasingly important.

Join a virtual class called Ask a Registered Dietitian available through NYS Office for the Aging GetSetUp to cultivate your understanding of nutrition while savoring the delights of eating!

Simply create an account and see all there is to learn— it’s free!

July is BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Mental Health Awareness Month

This observance focuses on emphasizing the distinct mental health challenges, systemic obstacles, and resilience of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, while celebrating cultural diversity and fostering community healing.

According to the Lyra Health:

• Black/African American: Adults are roughly 36% less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to the general U.S. population. About 43% rely on managing mental health challenges independently rather than seeing a therapist.

• Hispanic/Latino: Only about 36% of Hispanic Americans with depression receive care, compared to 60% of white Americans. Over 47% attempt to deal with challenges on their own.

• Indigenous/Native American: Adults face elevated risks of severe distress, with 8.5% reporting serious thoughts of suicide (compared to the 4.8% national average). Indigenous Veterans experience PTSD at double the rate of white Veterans.

• Multiracial/Mixed: This group experiences the highest annual rate of mental illness (35.8%) of any demographic.

Resources for caregivers:

Courage to Caregivers: Offers one-to-one caregiver support, grief recovery, and curated resource sheets dedicated to BIPOC and ally mental health.

Crisis Text Line: Provides immediate, free 24/7 text-based mental health counseling. (Text COALITION to 741741).

Caregiver Action Network (CAN): Offers peer support, educational resources, and a community space explicitly tailored to empower BIPOC family caregivers.

An Everlasting Promise
Pam White was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 61. In this powerful short documentary, A Marriage to Remember, her son, filmmaker Banker White, delves into how Alzheimer’s has illuminated the resilience of his parents' union.

Watch the documentary

Everyday Mindfulness for Caregivers: Sessions begin July 8 and held from 6:30-8:00 PM with sessions repeating every four weeks.
The Prevention Council of Erie County is introducing a virtual series to help caregivers explore mindfulness to conquer stress and boost well-being!
Learn more and register

In Their Shoes: Understanding the Sibling Experience in Families with Disabilities: July 13 at 10:30 AM with two others offered in September and November. This workshop offered by Parent to Parent of NYS explores the joys and challenges of having siblings, focusing on recognition, communication, inclusion, and connection strategies for parents to support all their children. Learn more and register

The Emotional Journey: Grief, Acceptance & Adjustment for Parents of Individuals with Disabilities: July 14 at 12:00 PM with another offered in November. This presentation offered by Parent to Parent of NYS addresses grief, acceptance, and adjustment for parents of children with special needs, emphasizing the need to express emotions to build resilience in their parenting journey. Learn more and register

Social Security Benefits for Older Adults: July 14 at 2:00 PM Join Justice in Aging for this webinar that will cover essential concepts of retirement, spousal and survivor benefits, and provide advocates with a solid grasp of Social Security regulations. It’s ideal for newcomers and those needing a refresher. Learn more and register

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Series (six weeks): Every Wednesday from 2:00-3:30 PM from September 16-October 21. This FREE, in-person self-care series will help family caregivers learn to reduce stress, change negative self-talk, communicate more effectively, manage emotions, and make tough decisions. Sessions held in Batavia, NY (exact location to be determined). Register no later than September 8 by calling 585-343-1611.

Care for Caregivers Support Group: Meets Online Every First and Third Thursday of Each Month from 6:00-7:30 PM Join the NY Zen Center’s support group for those facing the ups and downs of caregiving. While caregiving can be a deep act of love, it often feels lonely and challenging. Together, this group will explore the unique journey of caregivers and cultivate a supportive community. Learn more and get the Zoom link

NY Connects No Wrong Door System: Linking Caregivers to Supports: August 12 from 1:00-2:00 PM This FREE webinar, sponsored by NYSCRC will provide an overview of New York's Aging and Disability Resource Center. NY Connects is a trusted service that provides individuals in need of long-term services and supports (LTSS) with free, objective information and assistance to access resources and programs available in their community.
Learn more and register

Planning for Care: A Legal & Financial Webinar Series for Caregivers: Recorded Webinar Caregiving requires crucial decisions, often in legal and financial realms that families might find daunting. The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) presents a free three-part webinar series, Planning for Care, to empower family caregivers with vital knowledge and confidence for their caregiving journey. Watch webinar series

Celebrating the Fourth of July Your Way: Autism-Friendly Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Holiday This blog post from the Autism Society of Wisconsin contains great information on how to make celebrating Independence Day fun for those with Autism without sensory overload, disrupted routines, crowds, unfamiliar foods, late bedtimes, and safety concerns. Read the blog post

Lighten Up. Caregiving Can Be Heavy

Nurturing a loved one is a precious opportunity, but it can also be demanding. Recognizing the indicators of caregiver exhaustion empowers caregivers to safeguard their own health with intentional actions. A Meditation For Caregivers is designed to provide an opportunity to acknowledge burdens while gently restoring strength and balance.

NY Connects links individuals to long-term services and supports regardless of payment source/health insurance, whether it be private pay, public or a combination of both. Through the provision of free, comprehensive, objective information and assistance about long-term services and supports, NY Connects empowers individuals and families to identify available services and supports and choose what will best meet their needs at home, in the community, and as necessary, in residential or institutional settings.

To learn more, call: 1-800-342-9871 or visit www.nyconnects.ny.gov 

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,599,999 with 75 percentage funded by ACL/HHS of $1,200,000 and $399,999 and 25 percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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