In response to the increasing challenges faced by caregivers in the Virgin Islands, AARP VI will collaborate with Dr. Migdalia Brathwaite and present a virtual four-part workshop series, Caring for the Caregiver, from September 29th through October 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“Caregiving is a natural part of the cycle of life. We begin our life journeys requiring caregiving, then broaden into self-care, transition into self-care while caring for others and ultimately require individually focused caregiving as we expand into our senior years. At the core of the caregiving journey is an ever-evolving cycle of balancing self-care and caring for others,” stated Dr. Migdalia Brathwaite, host of AARP VI’s four-part workshop series Caring for the Caregiver.
Caring for the Caregiver will walk you through the journey of the caregiving cycle. Day One will focus on the transition into becoming a caregiver, the internal narratives that support the transition, managing multiple caregiver networks and the importance of self-awareness in the caregiving journey. Day Two uses simple symbols to explore the complexity of finding the right balance in managing quality care for loved ones. Day Three explores recognizing the need for self-care as a caregiver, the misconception of the need to be an extraordinary caregiver and identifying other stressors such as compassion fatigue, loneliness and recognizing forgiveness as a self-care resource. Day Four explores what’s next in life after the caregiving journey has culminated and looks at the work of transitioning into new roles and creating brave new stories. For more information and registration:
https://states.aarp.org/virgin-islands/caring-for-the-caregiver-workshops-aarp-vi-trainingseries
AARP VI understands that some caregivers need more than a virtual experience; they need an in-person human connection. On September 29th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., AARP VI and the VI Department of Human Services will collaborate to host the third component of their Elder Justice Summit: Safeguarding Older Virgin Islanders, Supporting Caregivers. This event will be held at My Brother’s Workshop Campus, St. Thomas, VI (behind Home Depot).
This powerful session is designed for caregivers and the older adults they care for, focusing on the impact of elder abuse and exploitation on both sides of the caregiving relationship—and, most importantly, how to stop and prevent it.
Featured Presentations:
• Shelby King Gaddy, Esq., Executive Director, Legal Services of the Virgin Islands – Safeguarding Legal Documents
• Risk Manager, First Bank Virgin Islands – Bank Safe: Protecting Your Finances
• Jessica Whyte, MA, LPC, NCC, Licensed Professional Counselor – The Emotional Side of Caregiving and Being Cared For
The summit will explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of caregiving, acknowledge the challenges and vulnerabilities caregivers and care recipients face, and share practical strategies to build resilience, protection, and compassion in elder care.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information and registration:
https://states.aarp.org/virgin-islands/aarp-vi-and-the-vi-department-of-human-servicescollaborate-to-host-the-third-component-of-their-elder-justice-summit-safeguardingolder-virgin-islanders-supporting-caregivers
Over 100 million Americans are 50 and older, including over 22,000 in the Virgin Islands. As the community ages, more adult children step into the role of caregiver. Learning and growing as a caregiver is an ongoing responsibility, and the caregiver’s self-care can be overlooked or buried beneath an avalanche of scheduled responsibilities. The question, “What about me?” can often be viewed as a luxury item when continued support is necessary. Discovering when to take time for self-care is a skill that requires development and must resonate at the heart of all caregivers. Taking time for self-care may be challenged by several barriers, including limiting beliefs, adjusting to role reversals and implementing new structures for caring. Caregiving can also contribute to behavioral health concerns such as burnout, negative self-talk, depression, compassion fatigue and loneliness. In short, the journey of caregiving is a uniquely personal experience. AARP VI understands the necessity of supporting caregivers across the territory and invites caregivers and those facing transition into the caregiving role to participate in these free educational and interactive events.
