Share Your Caregiving Story for "Portraits of Care"

https://youtu.be/bpEiZC4McbE?list=PLErIJrtiGWSzApcdW0WyMv2oJu2G3JrVB[/youtube]

We’re looking for stories of hope, love and dedication.

AARP believes family caregivers stories aren’t celebrated nearly enough. Because of your tireless efforts, older parents, spouses and other loved ones can remain in their homes. It’s a labor of love, to be sure, and sometimes more than a full-time job. It’s time the world got a better picture of just what it means to be you.  That’s why we’re launching a new phase of the I Heart Caregivers story-telling initiative, called Portraits of Care. To honor and recognize family caregivers all around the country, AARP will randomly select​* one caregiver from each of the 53 U.S. states and territories to receive a Portrait of Care, an artist’s painting of you and your loved one.  Eligible stories will be those posted from July 8 through September 30.  The recipient will receive the portrait in November, which is National Caregivers Month.

Share you story at iheartcaregivers.org.  We know that the power of stories can lead to real change to improve the lives of caregivers and their loved ones through advocacy and education efforts.  Here in Utah, we're working with other stakeholders to make sure caregivers have the information they need when a loved one leaves the hospital, such as instructions for post-hospitalization care and notice of when a person is transferred or discharged.  Stories of the overwhelming duties caregivers face can help policymakers understand that resources and assistance are needed to ease this unpaid labor of love.  Utah's 336,00o family caregivers provide over $4 billion in uncompensated care each year.  When you share your story, you help give a voice to this tremendous asset for the state.