John,
The holidays are a time to reunite with loved ones. But many care journeys start when families come together around the holidays — maybe you realize that your auntie is more forgetful than last year, or your cousin can’t get around like he used to.
In 2014, I became a caregiver seemingly overnight when, while I was visiting my parents, my father suffered a stroke. I paused my career in biotech and relocated to St. Louis to become a full time caregiver.
This holiday season, caregivers like me aren’t asking for much — just a little help so we can care for our loved ones AND keep our jobs. Caring Across is making sure we can make our voices heard and demand better than the impossible choices we face every day.
Will you donate today?
At home, I help out with the everyday tasks that keep our household going, from prepping meals to getting groceries, to driving my parents to appointments and helping out with finances. It really is a full time job, sometimes with more stress than my old biotech job!
If I could ask for anything this Christmas, it would be better access to Home and Community-based Services (HCBS). Trying to get access to them now can be confusing, arduous, and time-consuming — and caregivers don’t have time to spare.
If expanded, HCBS would give me and my parents an opportunity to live more productive and satisfying lives at home. My parents could get some help with their daily needs, meals, and transportation, and I would be able to get back to my career with more focus and commitment.
The pandemic has only increased the number of caregivers, like me, who have had to leave the workforce to provide care for loved ones. Getting us back to work could help jumpstart the economy.
Caring Across Generations is keeping the pressure on Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act, which will expand access to HCBS that working caregivers need. Will you help us keep the pressure up next year, by donating $10 or more today?
Make your donation today.
With care,
Rey Castuciano, Care Fellow
Caring Across Generations
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