In 1996, Jenny, who cared for her grandmother, visited my recently launched caregiving website and sent me an email.
“Can you connect me to others like me?” she asked.
That question led me to add community to my website so that family caregivers could share, support, console and honor each other.
I continued to add technology to my website so family caregivers could blog and join daily chats. I added virtual events so our community members could be workshop presenters.
I sold that first community in 2020, which allowed me to focus on building a catalog of training programs for those who want to serve and support family caregivers.
I soon realized, though, that those training program participants craved a community of support. They may be making a career change to become a Certified Caregiving Consultant and loved having good company to calm their nerves about their leap of faith. They may be passionate about serving and supporting family caregivers and loved sharing perspectives with others just as driven to make a difference.
So, I started building community again.
First, I thought of the community for training program participants.
Then, I thought about how this community could also support those who currently care for a family member and those adjusting to life after caregiving ends. I continued to build out content, chats and opportunities to share with and support each other.
That online community, Caring Our Way, is now available in the App Store and Google Play store.
Because I want family caregivers, who feel disconnected from community because so many don’t get it, to take our support with them wherever they go. We’re on their phone, which means they keep our support with them.
When they need some relief, they can listen to one of our 5-minute podcasts. When they want to vent, they can let it out in our chat room. When they want to feel connected, they can share an update with us at the end of the day. When they want good company to process the experience, they can join our virtual workshops. When they want to create strategies, they can join our free monthly planning meetings like our Family Emergency Planning session. When they want to receive kindness to start their day, they can read our Good Morning message. When they want guidance personalized for their situation, they can connect with a Certified Caregiving Consultant.
In our community, they choose to take what works for them.
To download our app, just search for Caring Our Way in the App Store and Google Play store.
We’re caring our way through our caregiving years with support, community and resources.
Join us.
