Caring for a Loved One? Check Out Our Local Online Series Thursdays in May

We know family caregivers’ responsibilities can be challenging. There are times it may seem overwhelming. There are a lot of us. There are 780,000 family caregivers here in Massachusetts. We’re helping their loved ones live independently at home – where they want to be. Massachusetts family caregivers provide 73 million hours of care every year, adding up to $15 billion in unpaid labor annually. AARP knows family caregivers are stressed. We need commonsense solutions that will save them time and money and provide them with more support.

That’s why AARP Massachusetts has an online series Thursdays this May that aims to empower caregivers with knowledge, resources, and strategies to navigate your caregiving journey effectively.

Every day, family caregivers assist their older parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes—where they want to be. They help with everything including medications and medical care, meals, bathing and dressing, chores, finances, grocery shopping, transportation and much more. Some family caregivers help a few hours a month while others are on call 24/7. Many family caregivers work full or part time, and some are also caring for children.

Whether you are a caregiver now or may be in the future, this virtual series has something for you!

Honoring Choices
Thursday, May 1 at Noon
Create a personal care plan to take control of your health care decisions and collaborate with medical providers for the care you want now and in the future. Learn about appointing a health care agent through a health care proxy and writing a personal directive to document your care instructions.
Click here to register

Making Cents of Caregiving
Thursday, May 1 at 7pm
In this session, we’ll introduce essential information caregivers need to more easily manage the costs and complexities of caregiving - information on creating a health care plan, choosing a power of attorney and budgeting for housing and transportation costs, for example. AARP’s Financial Workbook for Family Caregivers will be reviewed, and we’ll explore how to incorporate the tips into your caregiving. Additional resources will also be provided. 
Click here to register.

Six Pillars of Brain Health
Thursday, May 8 At 7:00 pm
Find out what your lifestyle would look like if you filled it with brain-healthy behaviors. A lifestyle that supports brain health can make a big difference to your well-being throughout your life, and it’s within your power to make the daily choices that can get you there. AARP invites you to take a step along that path by learning about “six pillars” that support brain health. These lifestyle habits include cultivating social connections, managing stress, getting high-quality sleep and moving around more, for example.
Click here to Register

Downsizing and Decluttering
Thursday, May 15 at 6pm
Gain some tactics that can help make your downsizing or decluttering project less daunting. Having too much stuff can impede people from relocating or even getting health care into their homes. This engaging presentation will explore why stuff is so important to some people and will share practical, easy-to-follow tips on how to go about downsizing and decluttering. Learn how to get started! Bring your questions, as there will be time for Q&A.
Click here to Register

HomeFit
Thursday, May 22 at 6:00pm
Discover smart design changes you can make for a safer and more comfortable home. Small home improvements can make a big difference in your life. They can make your home a space that enables you to “age in place,” to thrive as your living situation changes. They can also make life easier for visitors of all ages, from grandchildren to adult children and friends. Learn about the free AARP HomeFit Guide, which can help you assess each room in your house and offers home-improvement tips on everything from installing comfort-height toilets and shower seating to choosing slip-free rugs and exterior lighting that doesn’t require a ladder to change the bulb.
Click here to register

Paid Family Caregiving Leave
Thursday, May 29 at 12:00pm
MA Paid Family Leave (PFL) allows eligible employees to take time off work to care for a family member while still receiving a portion of their regular wages. This benefit helps reduce the financial strain of caregiving. This webinar will NOT be recorded. 
Click here to register

Family and friends are the backbones of America's care system, providing the bulk of care for older people in the U.S. as they strive to live independently. If you are not currently a family caregiver, at some point in your life you either will be a caregiver or need a caregiver.

AARP Caregiving Resource Center at www.aarp.org/caregiving
For Massachusetts specific caregiving resources check out www.aarp.org/cargivingma
To help advocate for caregivers, send us an an email ma@aarp.org