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This Newsletter is sponsored by
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The Next Generation of Grandparents-Becoming Instant Caregivers to
Their Grandchildren
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Greetings!
Recently, I met with Larry Cooper, LCSW and Project Director of Kinship Care a program of Children's Home, Inc. and 2 of his Program Managers, Susan Haynes, LCSW and Gayle Ingraham, M. Ed, IT. We had an interesting round table conversation about the number of grandparents who become caregivers to their grandchildren full-time in a blink of an eye. The stories and statistics are mind-boggling. What resources are available for the next generation of Grandparents or as Susan Haynes pointed out, "It doesn't necessarily have to be a grandparent, it can be a relative." She's right. Do you know anyone who is caring for someone's children? If yes, then they are caregivers too and may need help.
Fortunately, there is assistance in our area. Larry and his team were able to share their various programs that support, serve and protect children and their families.
What made our meeting exciting was the possibility of working together to fulfill their wish list.
- Identify Grandparents/Relatives as caregivers.
- Reduce any shame or isolation for the Grandparents/Relatives and their Grandchildren
- Learn how The Caregiver Hour Radio Show and The Caregiver's Resource Helpline can be an additional resource for these grandparents/family relatives who may be struggling.
- Connect Larry and his team with some of my resources in the Tampa Bay area.
- Create a Care for the Caregiver presentation for their upcoming events.
We walked out of the meeting feeling energized and optimistic.
Just a footnote: In December 2012 my new daughter-in-law Maj, my assistant Paula Taylor, Sue & Jimmy Duhamel and I volunteered to participate in the Kinship Holiday Party. This was an eye-opener to all of us. We were amazed how many families were being effected by this new generation of caregivers. All the Kinship grandparents/relatives were reconnecting to celebrate Christmas and made it a lot of fun for the grandchildren. I was impressed with the thoughtfulness of the organization. Their efforts to bring everyone together was joyful.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of the Kinship upcoming events, please contact Larry Cooper at 813-901-3423.
Warmly,
Kim Linder
Senior Holistic Living
 | Live 11AM to 12PM EST on Mondays Clear Channel 1250 AM WHNZ
Impact Radio in Tampa (www.whnz.com) |
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The Next Generation of Grandparents -Kinship Care
By: Larry Cooper, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Project Director
When we think about a grandparent and the role grandparents play it evokes many thoughts of joy, warmth and comfort. Reflections of a touch, warm hug or kiss on the forehead, the taste of a treat from another time, culture or tradition, the sound of a comforting voice, the song or story from times past and a feeling of connection to who we are. Grandparents bond families by maintaining our sense of culture, traditions, ethnic identity, religion and history. Grandparents have long enjoyed reaching the end of the long road to retirement and beginning their new role that relishes taking part in spoiling grandchildren, watching a music or dance recital, or graduation ceremony before leaving for that long dreamed upon travel destination, time to relax with a good book, time to spend with their lifelong partner, time to visit with friends and to pick up a new or
re-new a hobby.
The next generation of grandparents will look much different from those previous times. The baby boomer generation is getting challenges from all directions when it comes to family care giving roles. Many grandparents are stopped in their tracks as they are being asked to take on the full-time long term care of a family member. Grandparents are younger than previous generations and find themselves caring for their aging parents and now their grandchildren. There are close to 7 million children being raised by grandparents nationally in the U.S. The state of Florida ranks among the highest number of children in the care of grandparents and the need is growing. The result of substance abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, homelessness, child abuse and neglect in these worsening economic times are leading child welfare officials to reach out to grandparents to care for kin. Nationally, this role is identified as KINSHIP CARE, grandparents raising grandchildren or relatives raising kin.
Caring for caregivers, such as grandparents raising grandchildren is critical to maintaining kin connections outside of the often cruel realities of foster care. The Tampa Bay area has programs such as the Kinship Services Network of Pinellas County (KSN), a program of The Children's Home, Inc. funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board, Children's Services Council of Pinellas County. Hillsborough County has the YMCA Partners of Hillsborough, Kinship Care program funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and the United Way. They offer in-home support, navigation services to help link to the services needed most often, including counseling, legal assistance, financial aid, public benefits, respite care and emotional support. For more information call 1-888-920-8761 or visit
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| About Senior Holistic Living
Senior Holistic Living is a comforting resource for caregivers who are seeking guidance, encouragement, and more balance in their life. We are a reminder that caregiving does not have to be a mindless duty - that it can, in fact, be a mindful opportunity for the caregiver's own growth.
If you need advice or have unanswered questions, our recommended resources will be both helpful and reassuring. If you yearn to feel more connected to your feelings and thoughts but are not quite sure how to make it happen, allow us to lend a hand. And if you simply seek respite during a time of crisis, we can help you find peace. We'll show you how to create balance and minimize stress so that you can make better and more conscious decisions.
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