Supporting Family Caregivers in Washington

Every day over 800,000 Washingtonians perform a great labor of love: caring for older parents, spouses, and other loved ones so they can remain at home—where they want to be.

Caring for a family member or close friend is one of the most important roles we are likely to play in our lifetime. Caregiving may start with driving your loved one to get groceries or going to doctor’s appointments. As time goes by, you may help in preparing meals or handling bills, and you may find yourself taking time off from work to help. You may not think of yourself as a caregiver, but if you are helping someone with daily activities like getting dressed, managing medication and providing transportation to and from appointments, then you ARE a caregiver and AARP can help.

No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a friend or family member be it in a home, a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having the right resources, information and connections can make all the difference.

AARP Washington is here to support caregivers – and the older loved ones who count on them.  We are advocating for more support, services that are community-based or home-based, caregiver training and more. Please check out the many resources AARP has to offer on this page and thank you for joining us in honoring and supporting Washington's caregivers.

AgeTech – the challenges and opportunities around technology and family caregiving

Technology is a crucial component in most aspects of our lives, including caregiving. Whether it’s virtual doctor appointments, medical alert systems, or managing the thermostats in our homes, there are a growing number of devices, web-based services and options to wade through. At the core of caregiving is ensuring the health and well-being of our loved ones. Are caregivers using technology in their caregiver role and how can technology support family caregiving? READ MORE in this article on AgeTech and caregiving.

AARP Washington's "Caring for Caregivers" video podcast series features discussions with local experts, community leaders, and caregivers just like you on a range of topics to help you along your caregiving journey.

This month we're talking about housing options for caregivers. AARP surveys consistently find that older adults want to remain in their current homes and communities for as long as possible. But our needs can change as we age, and most houses and apartments are designed for young, able-bodied adults and don’t meet the needs of older residents or people with disabilities.

Claire Petersky is an expert on housing solutions with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and she's the manager of the Multifamily Housing & Community Facilities Division. Claire joins AARP Washington State Director Marguerite Ro for a discussion on how caregiving at home can be more possible and where we can go in the future.

Click here to see the discussion with Claire. And be sure to check back often to see new episodes of "Caring for Caregivers" each month.

The AARP Family Caregiving Website provides an easy way to join an online community of other family caregivers, learn about local services, get helpful information, and connect with others who understand caregiving challenges.