In October 2018, the Health Foundation held an event—“Connecting to Caregivers”—to introduce our exciting new respite care initiatives. We all know that the demand for family caregivers is increasing. With it comes an increased need for programs to support those caregivers. Here at the Health Foundation we’re working to create new conversations around providing the services that caregivers need most in order to take care of their loved ones and themselves.
We’re thrilled that Health Affairs featured this important work in a January 31, 2019 blog post by HFWCNY Program Officer Ken Genewick and hope that you’ll take a few minutes to read it.
By Ken Genewick
Program Officer
For family caregivers who feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities, respite care provides a desperately needed opportunity to recharge and take care of their own physical and mental health. Respite services represent a true win–win, benefitting the health and well-being of both caregivers and the older loved ones for whom they care.
In New York State, there are 2.6 million unpaid caregivers providing 2.4 billion hours of care to family members and friends, according to a recent AARP New York report. But there aren’t enough respite programs to meet the needs of caregivers, and that’s especially true in much of upstate New York.
In October 2018, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York brought together about sixty of our central New York community partners that play a role in providing and paying for services for family caregivers for an event we called “Connecting to Caregivers.”
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