Diversity Rules Magazine

Protec ve Factors Diverse family caregivers also reported experienc- ing some posi ve outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstra ng resilience and community interdependence rather than a reliance on formal suport services: Spent More Time With Family (55%) Decreased Commute Times (48%) Learned or used new technology (44%) Although protec ve factors reveal resiliency and unity among diverse caregivers during the pandem- ic, they also emphasize the need for providers and formal ins tu ons to more effec vely provide much needed mental health and financial assistance to im- prove the quality of life of caregivers and ul mately their aging loved ones. Policy Recommenda ons The findings and recommenda ons in this report can inform and be interwoven into the following priority areas that support the development and execu on of various ac ons that must be taken to be er serve diverse communi es. These following priori es align with the priori es outlined by the federal R.A.I.S.E Family Caregiving Advisory Council housed under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Ad- ministra on for Community Living. Priority Area 1: Increased awareness of LGBTQ+ care- givers, tribal caregivers, as well as caregivers from other diverse communi es, including targeted edu- ca on defining who is eligible for services. Priority Area 2: Increased emphasis on integra ng caregivers considered "family of choice", immigrant caregivers, Limited English Proficient (LEP) caregiv- ers, caregivers from the same tribe, and long dis- tance caregivers into processes and systems from which they have been tradi onally excluded. Priority Area 3: Increased access to services and sup- ports to assist family caregivers by including and in- ves ng into more resources to overcome language and cultural barriers and priori ze providing trans- lated resources, services, and informa on. Priority Area 4: Increased financial and workplace protec ons for caregivers with a specific focus on preparing to care for the future, future finances, and financial educa on. Priority Area 5: Be er and more consistent research and data collec on facilitated through partnerships with CBOs who have established community trust with the aim of increased par cipa on in research studies, like caregiving surveys or focus groups. Get the Report To read our report, Family Caregiving in Diverse Com- muni es: Addressing the Needs of Diverse Family Caregivers for Older Adults, visit h ps://bit.ly/DEC- NACCaregivingReport2021. To read a summary of the report visit h ps://bit.ly/ DECNACCaregivingFactSheet2021. About This Report In the crea on of Family Caregiving in Diverse Com- muni es: Addressing the Needs of Diverse Family Caregivers for Older Adults, the Diverse Elders Co- ali on and the Na onal Alliance for Caregiving u - lized the help of experts in the field of caregiving and diverse family caregivers, including DEC mem- ber groups NAPCA, NCBA, NHCOA, NICOA, SAGE and SEARAC, the Benjamin Rose Ins tute on Aging, Ber- nade e Wright at Meaningful Evidence, LLC., over 300 caregivers who shared their me and experience and 18 stakeholders who guided in the crea on of DEC's curriculum to improve the capaci es of provid- ers serving diverse caregivers and older adults. This report was made possible with generous funding by The John A. Har ord Founda on. About the Diverse Elders Coali on The Diverse Elders Coali on (DEC) advocates for poli- cies and programs that improve aging in our com- muni es as racially and ethnically diverse people; American Indians and Alaska Na ves; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender people. We envi- sion a world where all older adults can live full and ac ve lives as they age. Together, we are made up of six na onal organiza- ons represen ng a growing majority of millions of older people throughout the country: · Na onal Asian Pacific Center on Aging · Na onal Caucus and Center on Black Aging · Na onal Hispanic Council on Aging · Na onal Indian Council on Aging · SAGE · Southeast Asia Resource Ac on Center About the Na onal Alliance for Caregiving The Na onal Alliance for Caregiving's mission is to build partnerships in research, advocacy, and Caregivers - Con't on page 16 Diversity Rules Magazine | Jan 2022 | 5

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