Caregiving: A community conversation
By Alexandra Newman “We start off life and it follows a predictable, developmental sequence. We don’t think about the probability that we’ll become caregivers.” That was a quote that stuck with me from a Community Conversation about caregiving that was held last month at the South Haven Center for the Arts. As part of the […]
A safe place for male caregivers
By Alexandra Newman I recently overheard an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) care manager on the phone with the caregiver of a client. While I could only hear her half of the conversation, you could tell the gentleman on the other end of the phone was in distress. “You are not alone. You are not alone,” I heard her […]
AAA seeking feedback as we develop multi-year plan
By Lynn Kellogg If you’re a caregiver, or wanting meaningful work, read on. AAA needs you. Region IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a local, private, not-for-profit corporation whose sole mission is Offering Choices for Independent Lives. Whether one is rich or poor, healthy or not, alone or surrounded by family, fostering lifelong independence […]
Caregivers don’t have to do it alone
By Alexandra Newman A caregiver’s journey is always different. Some are caregivers for a short time, and some can lend their caring spirit for decades. Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting a local caregiver who has done the latter – for over 20 years. Janice C., of Benton Harbor, has been caring for […]
Celebrating the labor of caregiving
By Emily Marshall Imagine: it’s 1882 and a massive celebration is underway. People are celebrating positive movement towards decent working conditions and growth towards industrialization. Years later, in 1894, the celebration becomes a federal holiday and has been celebrated as “Labor Day” every year since. While the understanding of this day has morphed from a […]
The Hidden Cost of Care: Why Every Employer Needs an Eldercare Policy – June 21, 2025
By Christine Vanlandingham As America ages, so too does its workforce—and with it, the number of employees quietly juggling full-time jobs and full-time caregiving. These are the daughters helping their parents with personal care before heading to the office, the sons managing medication schedules between Zoom calls, and the spouses navigating dementia care while trying […]
Advocacy needed to support family caregivers – Feb. 22, 2025
By Christine Vanlandingham In tough budget climates, there is a strong business case for supporting family caregivers. Employee turnover is a costly issue for US businesses. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), replacing an employee can cost between 50% to 60% of their annual salary. For employees who are caregivers, the stress […]
Celebrate and support caregivers – Christine Vanlandingham – Nov. 16, 2024
Every November, we come together to observe National Caregiver Month, a time dedicated to honoring and celebrating the selfless individuals who provide care and support to those in need. These unsung heroes, whether family members, friends, or other caregivers, play a pivotal role in the lives of millions, often without seeking recognition or reward. Each […]
Internet resources ending; emergency preparedness takes planning – Sara Duris – May 18, 2024
Q. We are raising our grandson on our limited Social Security income and have relied on the Affordable Internet assistance to help us have good internet coverage for him to have a computer for homework. Do you know why this help is ending? A. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was created as an extension of […]
Caring for a caregiver in need – May 11, 2024 – Alexandra Newman
When Shirley Behm first called Area Agency on Aging last November, she was a new caregiver who just needed some help. “I’ll be honest, we made an appointment to get some information, but two months later, it felt like no one was helping us,” she said in a phone interview this week. They had moved […]