In June, Lutheran Services in America worked in partnership with the RRF Foundation for Aging and the National Alliance for Caregiving to elevate the voices and lived experiences of rural family caregivers in federal policy conversations. Our network convened rural family caregivers from Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota through its Rural Aging Action Network (RAAN) for a national caregiver convening and Capitol Hill advocacy day in Washington, D.C.
Caregivers participated in storytelling and advocacy training before meeting directly with members of Congress and their staff to share their experiences navigating caregiving in rural communities. Their stories highlighted both the strengths and challenges of rural caregiving and reinforced the importance of ensuring family caregivers have a voice in shaping policies that affect their daily lives.
This effort built on the research and policy recommendations outlined in Lutheran Services in America’s Rural Aging Action Network e-report “Rooted in Care: Transforming the Future for Rural Family Caregivers.” The convening reflected the priorities identified in the e-report, which explores opportunities to strengthen supports and services for rural family caregivers at the federal and state levels.
We are grateful to the family caregivers and Rural Aging Action Network members—including Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, St. John’s United, Immanuel Living, and Missouri Slope—for their leadership and commitment to advancing solutions that support rural older adults and family caregivers.
Regan McManus is Senior Director of Aging Initiatives at Lutheran Services in America.