What the Coalition of Caring is All About
The coalition was created in October of 2006. Its mission is to promote and strengthen the well being of caregivers who provide care for a disabled or ill child, adult or senior. This Coalition is comprised of organizations that support the elderly, children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, hospice patients and the chronically ill. It is our intention to continue to invite interested organizations to our committee as we continue our community outreach.
Caregivers comprise an often forgotten and underserved population of individuals who provide millions of dollars worth of unpaid direct care and support. Due to the constant demands of their caregiving role, they often have little time, energy or resources to take a stand or take care of themselves. Therefore our initiative will bring to the forefront of the community and the state the unrecognized value of these people who perform the task of caring. The coalition realizes that these “invisible” people are not easily noticed or detected; they are inconspicuous due to their responsibilities as caregivers; they often lack support, and have a very real need to feel valued.
If we don’t take care of the caregiver, then who will take care of the person in need at home when the caregiver can no longer fill that role?
The goals of the Coalition for the conference are to:
1. Provide caregivers with practical skills that can be used in daily in caregiving responsibilities
2. Provide current information on supportive services and resources
3. Offer the opportunity for emotional support and recognition of family and unpaid caregiver
4. Raise community awareness and outreach on caregiving issues