Caregiving touches everyone’s lives, whether on the giving or receiving end. Whether you are an academic, part of an organization, caregiver, or simply a passionate individual, you can play a part in ensuring that caregivers get the support they need.
If you or your organization would like to become a member of this growing coalition, please apply. We are committed to representation across all groups involved in caregiving in California.
Note: All roles are virtual. More detailed individual responsibilities are delegated after roles are set.
Be Informed
Staying up to date on the latest news, trends, and research findings can be overwhelming, but is important for being a better citizen, ally, caregiver, and advocate. Access our caregiving resources and sign up to get notified of CA CFC blogs, news, and reports. Other sites to check out are the Family Caregiver Alliance and USC Family Caregiver Resource Center.
Vote!
Every vote counts – utilize your right as an American citizen to make your voice heard! Besides just presidents, you can also vote on state senators and representatives, governors, and ballot measures. Visit the California Election Website for important dates, to register to vote, and more.
Support Other Caregivers
Do you know a caregiver, but don’t know how to help? Direct support can come in many forms, such as helping with errands, gifting food, providing emotional support, and checking in on them to make sure that they are taking care of themselves mentally and physically. Check out this Caregiver Wish List for more ideas on how you can help alleviate caregiver stress.
Advocate
Make your opinions on current legislation known through advocacy! See below for a list of ways to get your voice heard:
Develop and Utilize your Networks
You may already have a large audience to share your thoughts with, whether it be with other members of an organization you are affiliated with or through your social media platforms. This is also a chance to raise awareness and unify communities for a common cause.
Staying active within and expanding your networks ensures that you get your views out to as many people as possible, as well as makes your viewpoints stand out more to policymakers. Build relationships and conduct outreach through leveraging social media, attending events such as conferences, and reaching out to other organizations with aligned goals.
Engage Directly with Policymakers
Policymakers want to know the public’s opinion on key issues they care about! Make the most out of your efforts by doing research first on who the best people to speak to are, finding out their backgrounds and interests, and ensuring that you have a clear and succinct message for them. Find out who your state Senate and Assembly Representatives are here and explore their individual websites to find information on them, including their appropriate contact information. Then, consider what mode of communication to utilize:
Send a Letter or Email
Often, organizations will have pre-written emails that you can send to state representatives or assembly members. Physical letters may take more time to get read and processed, but also typically receive more attention. View this resource for tips on how to write and send an effective letter or email.
Make a Phone Call
Phone calls are good for when your message is time sensitive. However, don’t expect to speak to the legislator directly from the get-go. Your call will likely first go to a staff member, who can then inform the legislator.
Schedule a Face-to-Face Meeting
Face-to-face meetings are the best way to build a rapport with legislators and make your personal stories and experiences all the more impactful. Their individual websites may have built-in options to schedule a meeting with the legislator. If not, call their office and ask to speak to the scheduler. Although you likely won’t be able to meet with the legislator in person, it is still beneficial to meet with legislative staff. Be sure to come prepared with the appropriate knowledge, a rehearsed and tailored message, and written materials. Be sure to thank the legislator or staff for their time, and follow-up after the meeting with a letter or email.
Do you know a caregiver, but don’t know how to help? Direct support can come in many forms, such as helping with errands, gifting food, providing emotional support, and checking in on them to make sure that they are taking care of themselves mentally and physically. Check out this Caregiver Wish List for more ideas on how you can help alleviate caregiver stress.
Believe in Yourself!
It can be scary to put your opinions out there for scrutiny, and disheartening when you aren’t reaching the audience that you’d like to. Remember that as long as you are passionate about the issue or policy you are advocating for, people will want to listen to what you have to say.
Caregiver Resources
California’s Area Agency on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging directly manage federal and state-funded services that help older and disabled individuals live as independently as possible, promote healthy aging and community involvement, and assist family caregivers in providing for their loved one.
California’s Caregiver Resource Centers
California Caregiver Resource Centers provide essential services to families and caregivers, including counseling and care planning, legal/financial consulting and respite, and more at low or no cost.
Next Step in Care
Next Step in Care provides simple guides to help family caregivers and health care providers communicate efficiently and work closely together to plan and implement safe and smooth transitions between care settings for chronically or seriously ill patients.
Eldercare Locator
Eldercare Locator is a service provided by the Administration on Aging that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. The service has been connecting those who need assistance with agencies on aging and other community organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers by providing meal services, transportation, in-home care, home repair, education and training, and more.
Lotsa Helping Hands
Using Lotsa Helping Hands, caregivers can create a Help Calendar where they can post requests for support, including asking for meals, help with transportation, and social support. Family and friends can sign up to help on the calendar, and send reminders to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.