ROSALYNN CARTER INSTITUTE SUPPORTS CAREGIVERS IN THE MILITARY COMMUNITY


By bblouin
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter receives applause during a lunch hosted aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu.

First Lady Rosalynn Carter understood the importance of mental health and was an advocate of many causes. Arguably, her establishment of the Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) to support caregivers throughout the country is her largest endeavor. For tens of millions of Americans, caregiving is a part of life, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving is a support system for those supporting their loved ones. Through providing resources to help fight for more recognition and support for those providing care, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers continues to be there through thick and thin. Related read: Jimmy Carter Military Service: From Sailor to POTUS

The History of the Rosalynn Carter Institute

The Rosalynn Carter Institute, founded by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, aims to support and strengthen America's 53 million family caregivers through partnerships, research, programs, and policy advocacy. The RCI emphasizes the importance of recognizing oneself as a caregiver and provides robust support systems. The institute focuses on caregiver-centered approaches, conducting research on caregiver typologies, building a data platform, collaborating with employers on the Working While Caring initiative, addressing caregiver bereavement, and equipping caregivers with emergency preparedness skills.

Caregiving Resources and Support

The RCI report "Recalibrating for Caregivers: Recognizing the Public Health Challenge" calls for a comprehensive public health approach to caregiver well-being and emphasizes shifting the focus from caregiving to caregivers as a vulnerable population. Currently, caregivers are often overgeneralized and categorized based on the care recipient's disease condition, neglecting their own experiences. To better support caregivers, the Caregiver Typology Project, launched in partnership with Duke University, aims to understand how the burden, intensity, and duration shape their experiences across different caregiving situations. Additionally, resources are available for caregivers that need support. You can text TOUGH to 741741 to access free crisis counseling that is available 24/7. You can also take a small course through the Sharecare app which is a mental health collaboration with RCI. The Rosalynn Carter Institute Family Caregiver Assessment Tool is also available to help better determine an individual's need as a caregiver. Remember, different situations will present different needs, and should be looked at on a person-to-person basis. Suggested read: Why PTSD Awareness Day Is So Important for Caregivers

Explore the Rosalynn Carter Institute Caregivers Program Catalog

Caregiving comes in many different shapes and forms. Because of this, the need for support and resources is going to vary from case to case. Rosalynn Carter understands this and continues to provide a variety of programs that help meet a wider variety of needs. Here’s how each breaks down: Dementia Alzheimer’s or any form of dementia is going to be a challenge for those diagnosed, as well as their caregivers. Developing the right support system and having and understanding key resources is going to make all of the difference. There are several programs available at the Rosalynn Carter Institute with a popular option being Dealing With Dementia (DWD), a four-hour workshop. Military Care for those who served in the military has its own unique factors involved. Anyone that has served understands that as strong as you may be alone, you rely on those around you to complete your missions. If you are a caregiver, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is available for military-centric programs, support, and personal coaching. Working While Caring The Working While Caring (WWC) initiative by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers partners with businesses to address the lack of evidence-based solutions for employees balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. Through research, employer engagement, and pilot interventions, the initiative aims to better support caregiver employees. RCI also advocates for public policy changes at state and federal levels to create meaningful change beyond workplace support for caregivers. Caring for You, Caring for Me Caring for You, Caring for Me (CFYCFM) offers flexible learning modules to educate and support caregivers. The interactive training course focuses on developing skills for caregivers to collaborate effectively with professional caregivers, cope with stress, access resources, and find support among others facing similar challenges. CFYCFM aims to empower caregivers to be advocates for their care recipients while taking care of themselves. Georgia Care-Net​ The Georgia Care-Net Coalition was established in 1990 by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers to foster collaboration and engagement between professional and family caregivers. Care-Nets focuses on caregiver education, covering topics such as problem-solving, self-care, stress management, and care management. These community-based networks include leaders, caregivers, and professionals from various sectors, offering opportunities to share knowledge, access resources, and advocate for better caregiver support. Care-Nets, sponsored by local Area Agencies on Aging, convene regularly to assess community caregiving strengths and needs, advocate for enhanced caregiver recognition and support in Georgia, and create a platform for learning and collaboration. They organize caregiver education events, raise awareness about caregiving in the community, and champion initiatives aimed at ensuring quality care within their local areas. Just another one of the many ways the Rosalynn Carter Institute continues to impact the lives of those caring for their loved ones. Read next: The VA Caregiver Support Program: A Valuable Tool for Vets & Caregivers


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