Caring for Our First Church Caregivers—A Message and a Request from the FCB Community Care Team

First Lady Rosalynn Carter famously said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers; and those who will need caregivers.” She dedicated much of her life’s work to championing caregiving—from rallying resources to ensure support for unpaid family and friends, to addressing caregiver burnout.

Fundamental to her commitment was the understanding that caregiving is a universal experience. But in the U.S. these days, it’s much more than that. Family caregivers are now the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system.

Many of our First Church members are part of this caregiver community, and are balancing these responsibilities with the demands of work and home. Navigating this world of medical appointments, nursing tasks, or even just making nourishing meals can feel daunting.

In response, the Community Care Team is hosting several gatherings to support our caregivers. The first one – Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer’s: A Poetry Reading & Conversation on Alzheimer’s, Caregiving, and Aging – is on Sunday, October 18 from 12:30-2:00 pm in the Parlor. We hope you’ll join us.

In November, to mark National Family Caregivers Month, we are teaming up with the Adult Programs Committee to host two more gatherings on Sunday, November 11 and Sunday, November 18, both from 12:30-2:00 pm in the Parlor.

Possible topics for these two gatherings include:

• navigating care management, on your own or with a professional:

  • communicating with healthcare providers

  • obtaining and understanding medical information

  • advocating for your loved one

• balancing caregiving with self care:

  • asking for and accepting help

  • making time for your own needs

Our request? Please tell us what would be most helpful for you to learn, share and discuss at these two gatherings by emailing us at communitycare@uubelmont.org. And if you or a loved one need support in the day-to-day of your caregiving role, please let us know that, too. Whether by organizing meal trains, providing transportation, or making a grocery run, we are here to help.