National Alliance for Caregiving

Rare Disease Week serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges rare disease patients and their family caregivers?face every day. With Medicaid’s future under debate, this moment is critical for protecting the programs that provide essential care and financial relief to families navigating rare conditions. Our research shows:? ?? 37% of rare disease patients rely on Medicaid for healthcare.? ?? Caregivers providing care for Medicaid recipients spend over 55 hours per week?on complex care.? ?? 1 in 3 rare disease caregivers report their own health as fair or poor, and many face severe financial strain. This week, NAC released a new policy brief?on how Medicaid directly supports family caregivers, from respite care to financial relief. As lawmakers consider deep cuts to Medicaid, we must elevate the voices of rare disease families who depend on it. Read our CEO’s latest blog post?to explore these challenges and how we can advocate for stronger policies?to support rare disease families: https://lnkd.in/eW4b259e #RareDiseaseWeek #RareDiseaseCaregivers #Medicaid

As Black History Month concludes, we want to pay tribute to the 7 million+ African American caregivers who play a vital role in their families and communities. Though African Americans often find deep purpose in their caregiving journey, they also face unique challenges that impact their financial, emotional and physical well-being. Our research shows: ?? 31+ hours?of care spent per week—more than the national average? ?? 57%?report moderate to high financial strain? ?? 34%?care for multiple loved ones across generations In honor of Black History Month, we want to share the story of Brenda and Rob’s caregiving journey which highlights the resilience and dedication of millions of Black caregivers.? Read about Brenda and Rob: https://lnkd.in/dPVuXj59 Learn more by reading our African American Care Fact Sheet: https://lnkd.in/dpES39Yq #BlackHistoryMonth #AfricanAmericanCaregivers

Family caregivers are the backbone of our nation’s long-term care system. As a nation, we cannot afford to undermine the systems that support family caregivers, whose contributions are essential for the well-being of millions of Americans and provide substantial economic value.? ? Check out our new policy brief, "The Role of Medicaid & Family Caregivers," which focuses on the vital lifeline Medicaid provides in supporting family caregivers in every community across the U.S. ? Together, we must act to protect Medicaid from drastic cuts and harmful policy changes.? ? Have a Medicaid story? Share your experiences below to help inform policymakers and strengthen care policies. Download brief here: https://lnkd.in/eJ9E9NQw #protectmedicaid #familycaregivers #caregivernation

The National Alliance for Caregiving applauds?EMD Serono, Inc.?for their groundbreaking Caregiver Leave Benefit. By offering seven weeks of paid leave for U.S. employees caring for critically ill family members, they've set a powerful example of private sector leadership. As caregiving needs grow globally, we need more employers to follow this model and provide meaningful support for employee caregivers.?EMD?Serono's commitment demonstrates how the private sector can help lead the way in supporting family caregivers. #PaidLeave #CarePolicy #Caregivers #CaregiverNation

New Podcast Alert!?NAC's CEO Jason Resendez is featured on USA TODAY’s?The Excerpt?podcast, where he dives into the experiences of more than 20 million men?providing care across America. As more men take on caregiving roles, it’s critical to strengthen Medicaid, paid family leave, and other support systems?to meet their needs. While women continue to face the greatest caregiving challenges, male caregivers are stepping up every day—reshaping outdated gender norms and reinforcing the need for stronger policies that work for all families. Thank you, Dana Taylor, for elevating the conversation on family caregivers.? Listen here: https://lnkd.in/en73Pc26 or wherever you get your podcasts. #Medicaid #PaidLeave #Caregiving #Men #Care #Medicare #Health #Podcast?

It's #NationalCaregiversDay, and we’re celebrating the millions of family caregivers who show up every day for people in their lives. They're the husbands supporting wives through cancer treatment, the children caring for aging parents, and the moms coordinating complex care for kids with disabilities. These caregivers – 60% of them women – are quietly keeping our economy running, and it's time we valued their work. At NAC, we're working to amplify caregiver voices and push for real change. Got a caregiving story? Share it with us and help build the movement for better support. ?? https://lnkd.in/gT-SxDzs #CaregiversAreEssential #FamilyCaregiving

We’re excited to welcome Elaine Dalpiaz as NAC’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Policy. From leading caregiving initiatives at AARP to shaping federal healthcare policy at First Focus on Children, Elaine brings deep expertise in Medicaid, Medicare, and long-term services and supports policy. Elaine’s leadership will be instrumental as NAC continues to advocate for stronger policies that support family caregivers nationwide. Join us in welcoming her to the team! Learn more about Elaine's experience here: https://lnkd.in/eFSuzDPc #CaregiverNation

Our President & CEO, Jason Resendez, joined the Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees podcast to discuss the challenges faced by America’s 53 million family caregivers; especially those balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. From the need for caregiver-friendly workplace policies to the economic impact of unpaid care, Jason highlights how employers can better support their workforce and why caregiving is a national issue that affects us all. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/egzMb_Q5 #Workplance #Caregivers #CaregiverNation

Caregiving for someone with dementia is one of life’s most challenging roles, but support is now just a click away.? Dementia Alliance of North Carolina’s award-winning Accepting the Challenge program is now available online! For over 20 years, this program led by dementia care experts Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA and Melanie Bunn RN, MS, GNP, has empowered care partners with the skills to provide outstanding care. Now available as a free, on-demand online educational series, this program offers updated expertise, real-world demonstrations, and practical techniques to support care partners in NC. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/eF5y4H-E? #Caregivers #Dementia #AcceptTheChallenge

Honoring National Organ Donor Day ??? Our Program’s Director Yadira Montoya was recently featured in Hospice News discussing how palliative care can better support transplant recipients and their caregivers. Our latest transplant caregiving report also highlights these challenges caregivers face, underscoring the urgent need for policy and system changes. With proposed Medicaid cuts threatening essential caregiver support programs, now is the time to push for real solutions that ease financial and emotional hardships associated with caring for someone navigating serious illness, from transplantation to cancer. Read our latest transplant caregiving report: https://lnkd.in/ep7sk8aH Read Palliative Care News story: https://lnkd.in/eiUv6G8p #NationalOrganDonorDay #PalliativeCare #TransplantCare #Medicaid #Familycaregivers