News
Resources to Help Grandfamilies
- By: USAging
- On: 05/01/2020 10:21:46
- In: Hot Topics in Aging
The needs of grandfamilies are often large and always complicated, even in good times. Add online learning, stay-at-home precautions and reduced access to services and supplies, and you have a population in need of extra help, now! As n4a members continue to serve these particularly stretched family caregivers, n4a partner Generations United has new resources that can help.
The following resources are designed specifically for a consumer audience of older adults who are kinship caregivers and—especially in the COVID-19 crisis—juggling their own health and safety needs with children's emotional, academic and physical needs, as well as the professionals who support these families.
Fact Sheets on COVID-19 for Grandfamilies (English and Spanish Versions): This resource includes not only factual information about COVID-19, but practical tips on navigating life during a pandemic, including information on talking to kids about COVID-19, accessing food and medicines and taking care of yourself in a stressful time.
CARES Act and Grandfamilies Guide: GU also produced a guide on what's in the CARES Act that can help support grandfamiles.
Intergenerational Programs and Physical Distancing Guide: On a related note, we recommend you check out GU's guide to physical distancing in intergenerational programs, which contains numerous suggestions on how to continue intergenerational engagement in this new era.
Join the conversation! On Thursday, May 21 at 2:00 pm ET, n4a and GU will lead a webinar conversation on how the Aging Network can best support older adults raising grandchildren or other young relatives during this tumultuous time. The needs of grandfamilies are often great and always complicated even in good times. Add online learning, stay-at-home precautions and reduced access to services and supplies, and you have a population in need of extra help, now! Generations United's experts will highlight the trends in these families' current and emerging needs and share ideas for aging organizations to increase support to these older adults. A grandparent currently raising her grandchildren will share first-hand experience, and other grandfamily and AAA experts will join the conversation—as will you! In this COVID-19 era, sharing of emerging practices is critical, and we hope to capture local responses during the webinar. Register here.