Advocacy
Caregivers serve as the invisible frontline of our nation’s healthcare system– providing compassionate care to tens of millions of people each year – and yet systems to support them are fragmented, inaccessible, and oftentimes nonexistent.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
We can change it, together.
RCI’s advocacy efforts seek to redesign structures and systems to proactively center caregivers’ health and wellbeing.
Centering Caregivers at the Federal Level
Despite a wide array of caregiver support programs scattered across the federal government, caregivers often struggle to navigate a disjointed system, fail to qualify for the types of benefits they need, and find that the resources available to them are not sufficient or timely.
Recognizing the need for better systems of support for America’s 53 million caregivers, our founder, Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter made a bold proposal: establish a new Office of Caregiver Health within the federal government to elevate and center caregivers like never before.
– Rosalynn Carter
Establishing a federal office focused on the health and wellbeing of caregivers would demonstrate the commitment of the federal government to acknowledging caregivers and their invaluable contributions to our nation’s health and economy.
An Office of Caregiver Health would elevate and focus unprecedented federal representation, investment, and coordination of caregiver support across federal agencies. Leadership at this level would ensure that family caregivers are represented in health policy, regulation, program, and budget negotiations. A centralized office can dismantle silos that are barriers to progress by creating ways to consider the universal needs of caregivers, regardless of care recipient condition and payer. With a focus on family caregivers, the Office of Caregiver Health could coordinate programs, reduce complexity, prevent duplication, and offer caregivers a clear point of entry for resources and supports.
Advocating for Change
Family caregivers represent a powerful constituency, capable of making meaningful impact. Together, we can build robust systems of support that truly meets caregiver needs, regardless of where they are in their journey. We can advocate for a world where every caregiver has access to financial support, respite, mental health services, support from a well-compensated care workforce, and so much more.
Together, we can build a better future for caregivers.
Join the 4Kinds Network
RCI’s caregiver advocacy and peer-support network. Through the 4Kinds Network, RCI is mobilizing former and current caregivers to harness their collective power so that they may be recognized, respected, and resourced in all the ways they deserve.
Advocacy and Action
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers and Alter Forge Powerful Partnership to Expand Dementia Support for African American Caregivers
The groundbreaking collaboration aims to support African American dementia caregivers through the Dealing with Dementia program AMERICUS, GA (March
Statement from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers on the Credit for Caring Act
“In line with our mission to promote the health, strength, and resilience of America’s 53 million family caregivers, the Rosalynn
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers and FEMA Release Disaster Preparedness Guide on National Caregivers Day, Honoring the Legacy of First Lady Rosalynn Carter
New Easy-to-Use Guide Offers Caregivers Preparedness Resources Tailored to Their Needs, Helps Increase Disaster Resilience Community-Wide WASHINGTON — In
Honoring Rosalynn Carter’s Legacy by Prioritizing Caregivers
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s caregiving journey began early in life, when she helped care for her father when
Paurvi Bhatt, MPH, Joins Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers as President and Chief Impact Officer
AMERICUS, GA (January 31, 2024) – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) announced today that healthcare executive, caregiver
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers Announces Diana Felner as New Senior Director of Caregiver and Mental Health Policy
AMERICUS, GA (January 18, 2024) – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) is pleased to announce that Diana
Working While Caring Offers Vision for the Future of Work
Employers Design Solutions to Better Support Caregivers in the Workplace AMERICUS, Ga. — The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers
Statement from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers on the Passing of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter
Dr. Jennifer Olsen, chief executive officer of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI), today released the following statement
The Rosalynn Carter Institute and The Carter Center Respond to the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) and The Carter Center Mental Health Program (CC-MHP) work together to advance former First
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers and ATI Advisory Release Recommendations on CMMI’s New GUIDE Model for Dementia Care
AMERICUS, GA (September 6, 2023) — On July 31, 2023, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers and FEMA Sign MOU for National Preparedness Month
WASHINGTON—Sept. 1, 2023—September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual recognition set to remind everyone in America how important it
President Biden’s Executive Order on Care
On April 18, RCI joined other care advocates at the White House to watch President Biden sign the most
Other RCI Resources
Our Programs
Caregiving can be a fulfilling journey, but it can also be challenging – resulting in significant mental, physical, and financial strain on the caregiver.
Strategic Initiatives
Through a portfolio of research projects and strategic initiatives, RCI is working to answer key questions about caregiver demographics, health, needs, and existing supports.
WORKING WHILE CARING
One in five full time employees is also providing care for someone who is aging, ill, disabled, outside of thier paid job