By: Darian Constantine

Session 1 – Defining Caregiving & its Impact on Family, Patients & Friends

       The first part of the Caregiving in New Jersey Series was all about defining caregiving and how it impacts caregivers, patients, and friends. Our first presentation was by Courtney Roman of Center for Health Care Strategies, giving an overview on caregiving. Roman explained how a family caregiver can basically be anybody, and we all know people serving in this role. Roman described caregivers as a person who has a significant personal relationship with and provides a broad range of assistance for an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition. These caregivers may or may not live with the person receiving care; their primary goal is to make the person receiving care as comfortable as possible.

          Our second presentation was presented by Kathleen Otte of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services explaining a national strategy that can be able to support family caregivers. Otte explains how that strategy can be able to empower communities, agencies, and other stakeholder groups to select actions for implementation; this strategy is a significant milestone in our national effort to improve the way we can support family caregivers and the people they are caring for.

You can view the recording here: https://youtu.be/-6QNJWRSTbE

Session 2 – Finding Support & Building Skills  

   The second part of the Caregiving in New Jersey Series was about finding support and building skills. Our first presentation was by Mary-Catherine Lundquist of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, COPSA, and Care2Caregivers; Lundquist’s presentation reviewed the different stages of caregiving, as well as what it takes to build a care team while exploring how to identify current connections, exploring community supports, and ways to contact professional support for anyone who is a caregiver.

          Our second presentation was by Robyn Kohn of Alzheimer’s Association. Kohn’s presentation talks about Alzheimer’s Disease, including what it is, how common it is, and raising awareness on what an Alzheimer’s caregiver does. Caring for a loved one going through Alzheimer’s is an overwhelming and highly emotional time for the caregiver and rest of the family, and Kohn sheds light on this. Kohn also discussed ways we can help with Alzheimer’s as individuals, as an organization, and in our communities.

You can view the recording here: https://youtu.be/8Pn-sfp736I

Session 3 -Benefits: Family Leave, Respite Care, NJ Family Leave Insurance

The third and final part of the Caregiving In New Jersey Series was about the different benefits related to caregiving, such as Family Leave Benefits, Respite Care, and NJ Family Leave Insurance. Our first presentation was by Lauren Levant of Jewish Home Family talking about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA is a federal law that is enacted to protect employees’ jobs and medical insurance when they need unpaid time from work for certain family and/or medical reasons.

          Our second presentation was by Jennifer Rutberg of New Jersey Division of Aging Services on Respite Care. Respite care is taking time away from caregiving so caregivers can go back to their duties refreshed and protected from burnout. Respite care can include anything revolving around your self-care and enjoyment.

          Our third and final presentation was by Ellen Maughan of New Jersey Paid Leave Outreach Collaborative talking about Paid Family Leave in New Jersey. Paid Family Leave in New Jersey has existed since 2009 and has expanded in recent years. Employees can use Family Leave Insurance to take care of their loved ones, themselves, or cope with any form of trauma or grief.

We want to thank Parker Life for the support of this series!

You can view the recording here: https://youtu.be/pnizpNgzdAY

We will continue to expand our events on caregiving.  Our next event will be  a webinar for caregivers from Teepa Snow’s “Positive Approach to Care.”  This is offered free to NJ caregivers and people who work with individuals with dementia and will be held Tuesday, May 2 at 6pm.  Register for this event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7I3pn_nxTRSGynajBz5qyg

Thanks for being a part of the Caregiving in New Jersey Series!