Indiana continues to rank as one of the worst states in our nation for supporting and training family caregivers, according to the AARP Report Card. Caregivers are suffering on a national level as well. 53 million people who are at-home caregivers in the United States are currently providing a value of over $600 billion annually.
Even with best intentions at heart and through no fault of their own, caregivers are often unprepared, untrained, and may not have adequate support to take on the immense challenges of caring for a loved one at home. Over time, that can lead to frustration, isolation and health concerns of their own.
The Good News
There’s a solution: Caregiver Way. VisitCaregiverWay.com is more than a website; it’s a dynamic content hub and online community for caregivers that features trusted information, as well as articles and videos provided by subject matter experts through the ‘Village’ of contributors.
The platform features informational content in five categories: Self-care, Caring for Your Loved One, Financial & Legal, End-of-Life Care, and Life After Caregiving. There are many facets to caring for a loved one at home, and their healthcare is not the only area in need of attention. Oftentimes, the caregiver is managing the financial and legal aspects for their loved one as well. The specific areas of focus on the site are invaluable when it comes to managing the phases and multiple components of caregiving, even addressing the transition faced after the role of being a caregiver ends.
All of the information provided on the platform is audited and approved by a qualified Content Advisory Board, ensuring accuracy and reliability so that users can rest assured they are being given well-vetted, accurate information.
Caregiver Way is easy to navigate and even provides a helper: Edna. The Ask Edna feature can answer questions and lead users to the information they’re seeking.
Meaningful Connections
The platform hosts a ‘My Community’ section where users can find and share meaningful connections with other caregivers who understand firsthand the immense responsibility of caring for a loved one. It’s a place to share thoughts, feelings and challenges with others who are in the same position. Those who have found support on the platform no longer feel isolated and alone in their caregiving journey. And there’s an option to share your own helpful information and ideas as a contributor. It’s all about supporting each other.
The platform also offers a private journal with prompted assessments to help caregivers explore and recognize their own needs through self-awareness. Journaling offers a beneficial outlet by helping to process emotions, reduce stress, and better understand thoughts and feelings by expressing them in writing. It’s a catalytic way of managing anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges faced by caregivers.
An All-Encompassing Resource
Caregiver Way provides a space where users can find engagement, education, guidance and meaningful connections, all in one place. Those who join can build their personal plan for caregiving through exploring the content, optional regular journaling, and taking assessments to monitor and manage their own well-being. The best care is provided by those who care for themselves, and Caregiver Way provides an always-there resource to becoming the best caregiver you can be for your loved one, and for yourself.
Today is the day. Go to visitcaregiverway.com
Watch Below:
Tina McIntosh of Caregiver Way and Sherri Davies of American Senior Communities (ASC) appear on Great Day TV with Patty Spitler to share how this venture came about and why ASC is a core supporter of the platform.
