ARCHANGELS and The Joint Commission convening organizations across the nation to recognize and support unpaid caregivers
ARCHANGELS and The Joint Commission invite the nation to join them in the Care Badge initiative, which supports, honors and creates opportunities for upward mobility for the more than 40% of adults across the country who serve as unpaid caregivers.*
The founding organizations are joined by pilot collaborators, including the Alliance of Community Health Plans, the American Heart Association, the Association on Aging in NY, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Blue Star Families, Care.com, CaringBridge, Hilarity for Charity, the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition, New York State Office for the Aging, and Northwell Health.
Unpaid caregivers provide often-invisible support to friends, family and neighbors, and there is increased attention on supporting this population given the vital role they play in the “care economy.” Caregivers develop a number of key skills in this role – from hands-on care to managing finances to navigating a complex system. These skills are not just valuable in a caregiving role – they can be valuable in any role.
Launched on Oct. 21 in advance of National Family Caregiver Month, the Care Badge is a free way for individuals to get recognition and timely access to resources and networks of support. It is also an opportunity for organizations and communities to rally around this population in ways that provide value for all. The Care Badge:
- Helps recognize and celebrate the individuals in this role by providing a visual mark of caregiving experience.
- Provides quick and actionable tips optimized around the biggest drivers of caregiver intensity.
- Links caregivers to already available and free resources tailored to those intensity drivers.
- Reframes for caregivers and potential employers the act of caregiving as a strength-based asset invaluable in the workforce.
The Care Badge initiative also features additional resources from both founding organizations:
- The Joint Commission’s Speak Up™ for Unpaid Caregivers campaign offers tips for unpaid caregivers, such as how to communicate with healthcare providers to help a loved one, and guidance on how caregivers can take care of their own physical and mental health.
- ARCHANGELS’ Caregiver Intensity Index® engages all caregivers, especially those who do not see themselves in the role. It provides each caregiver with a ‘score’ and a tailored list of what’s most driving their intensity, as well as access to supportive resources available at no cost.
Visit thecarebadge.com to earn the badge and explore free resources.
*Mental Health Among Parents of Children Aged <18 Years and Unpaid Caregivers of Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic – United States, December 2020 and February–March 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70: 879-887. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7024a3.htm?s_cid=mm7024a3_w