Penn Memory Center and Duet were featured in an article by the New York Times about the importance and mutual benefit of accessible volunteer programs providing caregiver-to-caregiver mentorship and support.

Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) is an opportunity to recognize the critical role and contributions of family caregivers. This year’s theme is #CaregiversConnect. Community Care Corps partner, Caregiver Action Network (CAN), developed a blog post about NFCM and its connection to the Community Care Corps mission to support caregivers. Use CAN’s National Family Caregivers Month promotional toolkit to join the conversation.

• The Supporting Social Connection of People Living with Dementia topical guide highlights the positive role that social connectedness and engagement play in quality of life and better physical and mental health outcomes for older adults. The guide provides examples of programs and initiatives encouraging social connection for people living with dementia as well as tips and resources on how to foster meaningful engagement and social connection in your community.
• The Intergenerational Engagement topical guide has examples of planned activities that offer opportunities for people of varying ages to interact and contribute to their communities, as well as resources on how to cultivate intergenerational programming within your community.

Commit to Connect is a cross-sector initiative, launched to fight social isolation and loneliness by helping people connect and engage to build the social connections they need to thrive. Commit to Connect is administered by USAging with funding from the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

The Eldercare Locator’s Home for the Holidays campaign shines a light on an important topic affecting the health and wellness of older adults. This year, the campaign focuses on encouraging older adults to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated before gathering with loved ones for the holidays. The campaign features a brochure and vaccine fact sheet, which highlight the important and potentially life-saving role vaccines play in helping older adults stay healthy and connected to local, community-based resources. Organizations can customize and use these materials to participate in the Home for the Holidays campaign and share information about their own resources for vaccinations. For more information about the campaign, to order the brochure and to view other materials, visit usaging.org/h4h2023.

The Community Care Corps: Supporting Healthy Community Living Grantee Snapshots publication highlights the impact of the innovative work accomplished by the third cohort of Community Care Corps grantees. Each snapshot includes a program overview highlighting key efforts, partners and future directions. Learn more about their work and explore how your organization can implement similar innovative programs to help older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers maintain their independence, health and well-being.

Our new grantees have begun producing videos showcasing the value and impact of the volunteer models they plan to implement in their local communities. Visit the Community Care Corps Vimeo page to stay up to date with their work!

• How writing, art and community can help military caregivers overcome loneliness (VA News, November 27, 2023)
• Rosalynn Carter tributes highlight her reach as first lady and humanitarian (AP News, November 27, 2023)
• Family caregivers share common job but diverse experiences (UC Davis Health, November 20, 2023)
• Virtual Drop Into the World of Dementia Instills Fear and Compassion (CU Anschutz Medical Campus, November 17, 2023)
• How To Support Caregivers Balancing Work And Caregiving Duties (Forbes, November 17, 2023)
• Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care (New York Times, November 15, 2023)
• Caregivers of Veterans Spend 1.5 Times More on Out-of-Pocket Costs Compared to Other Family Caregivers (AARP, November 6, 2023)