Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers

Operation Family Caregiver (OFC) and Operating Caregiver Support (OCS) are RCIs signature military programs providing support to caregivers of wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans across the country. OFC is an evidence-based 1:1 coaching program teaching problem solving and other skills over a period of 8 sessions. In 2021, 645 Caregivers were referred to the OFC program. 193 new caregivers enrolled in OFC and 73 completed the full program. RCI Coaches provided 1,018 coaching sessions, serving 220 unique caregivers. OCS is virtual peer support groups that teach new strategies and foster connections for caregivers. In 2021, 246 caregivers were referred to OCS and 113 new caregivers enrolled to participate in the groups. A total of 350 participants attended 72 groups, serving 96 unique caregivers.

Results of the national surveys of employee caregivers were presented at 3 conferences and convenings including the HERO forum, National Business Group on Health, SHRM Foundation Summit on Mental Health. The results were also covered in related newsletters and media publications. There was also a major project, the Working While Caring Initiative (WWC). Two national surveys of employee caregivers was completed that delved into experiences, perceived emotional burden, financial challenges, and access to employer supports. The purpose of the research is advance an understanding of this cohort of the workforce in order to design and target more effective supports that help to keep an employee caregiver connected to the labor force, support in their caregiver role, and strengthen workplace engagement. The WWC initiatives outreach and engagement strategy was developed. The objective is to engage employers to raise awareness of employee caregivers, design and implement effective workplace supports and public policies.

Dealing with Dementia (DWD), one of the major initiatives of this program, is a four-hour workshop, paired with the comprehensive Dealing with Dementia Guide, a detailed workbook designed to help caregivers. The program is offered in both English and Spanish by 70 active trainers located in 16 states, serving caregivers across the nation. Participation in the Dealing with Dementia workshop is proven to increase dementia knowledge and confidence in the caregivers ability to provide care. RCI REACH (RCI Resources Enhancing Alzheimers Caregiver Health), another initiative, provides one-on-one coaching, either in-person or virtually, through a network of agency partners. RCI REACH is delivered through 12 sessions over six months and comes with a comprehensive caregiver guide, with caregiver and coach working together to identify areas of challenge and develop sustainable solutions.