Working Caregivers Panel Discussion
Date/Time: 02/23/2015, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Provider: Community Hospice of Northeast Florida
Location: WJC Public Broadcasting
Local Caregiver Coalition to Recognize Family Caregiving Advocates,
Host Working Caregivers Panel Discussion in Jacksonville
State Senator Aaron Bean named their ‘Caregiving Champion’
The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) has selected the Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida as one of eight grant recipients to raise awareness about the needs of working caregivers.
The Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida has tapped Florida State Sen. Aaron Bean (R – Jacksonville) to be its “Caregiving Champion.” Bean will guide a panel discussion about the issues working caregivers face and possible solutions in “Building a Culture of Care for Tomorrow’s Workforce,” on Monday, Feb. 23 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at WJC Public Broadcasting, 100 Festival Park Avenue in downtown Jacksonville.
Approximately 44 million unpaid caregivers provide care to those 50 years and older, 75 percent of whom also are employed. Caregiving is a corporate issue as much as a personal one—the cost of caregiving to U.S-based employers was estimated to be as high as $34 billion per year.1 Providing care is reported to keep 24 percent of employees from working more than they currently are and cause employee-caregivers to miss on average 6.6 workdays per year.
“We appreciate Sen. Bean for his leadership of this program concerning working caregivers,” said Toula Wootan, community development officer at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, the Coalition’s founding organization. “His work in safeguarding the health and well-being of those who care for loved ones is tremendously important to our community.”
Sen. Bean will moderate the discussion with panelists Jason Altmire, senior vice president, public policy and community engagement, Florida Blue; Francine Parfitt, director, Memory Disorders Clinic, Mayo Clinic Florida; and Terri Barton, executive director, Aging True Community Senior Services.
The NAC-sponsored Caregiving Champions program is supported by Pfizer Inc. and Eli Lilly and Co. It allows state and local caregiving organizations to recognize individuals who, in their capacity as elected officials or civic leaders, raise awareness of the challenges facing family caregivers and advocate on their behalf. The Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida received a $1,500 grant to support the NAC initiative.
Working caregivers are encouraged to attend the free program. RSVP to 904.407.6998 or conta.cc/1ERCrfO.
About Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida
Established in 2008 by Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, the Caregiver Coalition is an alliance of healthcare, civic and social service organizations that promotes awareness and knowledge of, sensitivity to and support for family caregiving in Northeast Florida. Coalition partners host activities to benefit caregivers and those in their care.
About National Alliance for Caregiving
The National Alliance for Caregiving is a national, non-profit coalition focused on advancing family caregiving through research, innovation and advocacy. Through supporting public policy research, coalition building, and education, the Alliance has supported America’s nearly 66 million family caregivers since 1996.
For more information about the Caregiving Champions program, visit:
http://www.caregiving.org/caregiving-champions
