An E-Newsletter of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving

More than 300 registrants will be attending the RCI's National Summit and/or the RCI 20th Anniversary Gala October 25 & 26 at Georgia Southwestern State University. These participants represent 30 states in the United States and some participants are coming from as far as the Republic of Ireland. More than 240 people have registered to attend both days of the conference and approximately 240 will attend the Gala.

Take Our Needs Assessment Survey: Survey To Determine the Demand for Caregiving Education
This fall semester, Georgia Southwestern State University became the first university in the nation to offer an 18-credit “Caregiving Specialist” Certificate Program. In response to the widespread interest in the Certificate Program, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving and GSW are examining the need for additional caregiving education programs.

GSW is in the process of conducting a needs assessment survey to measure interest in a stand-alone certificate program and in master's level training in caregiving.

Care Transitions Specialist Featured in October Telephone Learning Session
The term "care transitions" refers to the movement patients make between health care practitioners and settings as their condition and care needs change during the course of a chronic or acute illness. Care transitions are especially vulnerable times for patients, often characterized by conflicting medical advice, medication errors and a lack of follow-up care.

Dr. Eric Coleman will present a Telephone Learning session on this topic Thursday, October 18 at 12 noon, EST.

RCI is continually developing and updating our Online Resource Center and Clearinghouse on evidence-based interventions for caregivers. This Resource Center is part of our Quality Care Initiative, and can serve as a key resource for identifying effective interventions that should be considered for implementation. Take a minute to look at the latest version of this searchable database and let us know what additional information and services you would like to see next.

At the 20^th Anniversary Gala for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, we will reflect on 20 years of accomplishments. But more importantly, we’ll be looking ahead to the future and honoring emerging leaders in the caregiving field.

The Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Leadership Award is the highest award bestowed in the field of caregiving. This year, the RCI is taking the Award to a new level.

Expert Advice Found in RCI's Audio Library
Each session of RCI's Telephone Learning Series provides helpful information and advice to family and professional caregivers. We take pride in bringing the nation's experts to our listeners through this popular program. If you've been interested in our free sessions, but haven't been able to take part, we have good news. All past sessions are available as audio files on our website. Listen to these sessions at your convenience.

Pamphlet Offers Advice to Caregivers Dealing with Disaster
A devastating tornado hit South Georgia in March 2007 and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in Sumter and surrounding counties. Two lives were lost and the city's only hospital was completely destroyed. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving is taking a role in Project CARE, a local project designed to assist the tornado survivors. One early result of this work is a pamphlet that will be utilized by Project CARE outreach workers to help caregivers get their lives back on track after the disaster.

North Carolina Leaders Seek to Replicate CARE NET Concept
The twelve Georgia CARE-NETs met in September for their quarterly meeting. Georgia’s CARE-NETs are coalitions of caregiver support organizations representing family and professional caregivers. There were special guests at the meeting – individuals from North Carolina who have heard about the successful CARE-NET concept and are taking steps to replicate the program in their state. Initial discussions with leaders in Florida are underway as well.

Support Groups Serve Relative Caregivers and their Family Members
The Relative Caregiver Program recently held a successful set of support group meetings for the caregivers enrolled in the program, as well as the children and teens they are caring for. The Relative Caregiver Program provides support and guidance to adults who are caring for a relative child or children (grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.).

Help RCI Support More Caregivers

Your generosity can help ensure that the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving will continue to be the leader in providing research, education and support for caregivers in Americus, Georgia and across the nation. This important work is only possible through the continued generosity of our supporters. There are a variety of ways in which a gift can be made to our organization.