Saluting women around the globe and beyond…
We are powerful when we work together. I absolutely love that concept and when I see it in action? Even better!
Today is International Women’s Day. Here at home and around the globe we are recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of women. (Remember – it’s Women’s History Month, too).
As women, we tend to spend much of our energy ‘doing’ and ‘caring’ for others. That of course is true for caregivers (family and professional) every day of the year!
Keeping it REAL Caregiving is taking this moment to recognize all of you who are giving of yourselves to care for others. We also want to remind you to carve out a little time and space each day to focus on YOU.
To help you along, here’s what we’re focusing on: practical events, news you can use and a fun way to consider taking your elder on an ‘out of this world’ trip!
Upcoming event
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 (Reminder)
California Department of Aging
Master Plan for Aging – Webinar Wednesdays
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Pacific -Online
Courtesy: California Department of Aging
Event Description: California’s Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative offers important opportunities for a “whole person” approach to care delivery, including access to community supports. This month’s webinar will highlight best practices and opportunities for the aging and disability communities to partner with Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans
Free Covid Tests
We’ve been in the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic for more than two years now and while many may be experiencing a bit of Covid-fatigue, please continue to take caution and keep you and your family members (especially elders) safe!
As a reminder, we are all eligible to receive free, at-home rapid Covid-19 tests. Just visit Covidtests.gov.
Tax time!
It’s that time of year again when we all have to think about our taxes. If you are a family caregiver and either handle your elders’ finances or have large ‘out-of-pocket expenses’ while caring for them, it is important to understand what tax options you may have available.
Check out this article by AARP, Tax Tips for Family Caregivers, which provides some guidance and considerations.
Sunday Coffee Chat & Support Hour
If you missed the KIRC Sunday Coffee Chat & Support Hour for March 6, 2022, not to worry – you can check it out here!
We also talked about financial and tax considerations for family caregivers.
We had an amazing discussion with our guests, Kandis Draw, National Illinois Advocate Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and Charlene Rhinehart, CPA; author and publisher of the Chicago Southsider Bulletin Newsletter, who helps clients understand the importance of building financial wealth.
We covered a lot of ground with dozens of you jumping in online. Some of our topics?
Dealing with family who won’t help with caregiving duties
How to rebuild personal finances after spending savings for caregiving
Ways to reach out for emotional and logistical support
The feedback for this session was beyond our expectations, so thank you.
SAVE THE DATE – the next KIRC Sunday Coffee Chat & Support Hour is Sunday, April 3, 2022. (More details soon!)
*HAVE YOU JOINED YET? SUBSCRIBE 📬 to stay up to date with KIRC news & info!
*********
And finally…
How about an ‘out of this world’ experience?
NASA is getting ready for the Artemis mission to the moon and the agency is inviting all of us to submit our names to be included on a flash drive that will be aboard the Artemis. How cool is that!
Sure, it may not be an actual trip to space and the moon, but it may be as close as we’re going to get!
KIRC would love to hear and share some personal stories of our elders and their recollections of watching the historic first moon landing!
Take this opportunity to ask your loved one how that moment impacted them and submit their answers here.
If you’re up for it, get creative and capture a brief audio or video clip and KIRC will then share these stories with our caregiving family. You might be surprised at what you learn about your loved one with this simple question!
All for now; until next time KIRC family~
*Liking what KIRC is dishing up💛, share it with your circle of family & friends
*Looking to catch up on KIRC stories, 🔎 find them on Bulletin
*Check out 📽 Videos & 📡 Podcasts at the Keeping it REAL Caregiving website
*Header Image/Courtesy: Adobe Stock
Like our content? We invite you to leave a comment and say hello!