We were lucky to catch up with Jodie Finney Alicia Christopher recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jodie Finney, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
The short answer is our parents. And our parents learned it from their parents. When you give up your time and you can witness the positive impact on another human being, you are changed. That change propels you onward to continue to affect those in need positively. Whether the need is for your financial resources or for your time, when you help others, it feels good, and everyone likes feeling good. We both get a lot of joy out of helping others, specifically with our non-profit. We love helping and supporting dementia caregivers. And when you see caregivers’ reaction and excitement when they receive our funding or attend one of our events, it fills your bucket in ways you didn’t expect.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
We support dementia caregivers. In the race to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and other related dementia, the funding has left out its key player, the caregiver. Dementia caregivers are growing enormously as the baby boomers continue to move into their last 3rd of life. And frankly, these caregivers are struggling in so many ways.
We try to do our part by giving respite funding to caregivers through our National Caregiver Respite Initiative. This program runs three times a year and grows as people become aware of our funded programs. The money awarded to dementia caregivers is meant solely for them. We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and respite looks different for different people. It is for each caregiver to decide what will bring them respite—maybe bringing in private care, cleaning their house, or paying for a much-needed night away. The hope is that they return to the 24/7 job of being a dementia caregiver more refreshed, patient, and ready to tackle their day.
We also recognize that socialization is essential for the caregiver and the individual with memory issues. So, we designed our St. Louis-based caregiver/ companion outings to be a safe and understanding environment. The caregiver and their loved one with dementia join us for a roughly 2-hour outing—everything from a dinner to a day at the zoo. We underwrite the entire event, keep the group size small, and always offer food.
Additionally, we promote socialization by selling our caregiver cards. These are business-size cards caregivers carry with them when out in public. They are an instant resource for dementia caregivers to use while interacting with community members. The card states – ” I am caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s. We appreciate your patience and kindness.” This instantly transfers information and gives the caregiver confidence that people will understand their situations quickly and with compassion. Countless studies show that socialization is vital for brain health. We aim to give the caregiver a resource to lower their stress of returning to the community.
The newest program we are launching is our dementia-friendly dining. We have partnered with local restaurants to train staff on how best to serve dementia caregivers and individuals with memory loss. We want to make social outings less stressful and allow caregivers to continue living an active life. Offering a safe space for them to dine out is a great first step.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Being caregivers ourselves is, without a doubt, one of our most significant assets in the success of our nonprofit. We get it, all of it. We understand that each day is different, and no dementia individual is the same. We empathize with the feeling of loss, the difficulties family dynamics can bring to this stressful situation, and we understand the fear and uncertainty the simplest outing can bring. We understand all the different stressors caregivers face, and we think that sets us apart from others. Thus, knowing your audience is a key quality for whatever you plan to do.
Another beneficial quality is our willingness to learn new things. We may be experts in understanding dementia caregivers’ journey, but we are not business or nonprofit experts. Thus, we have sought advice, taken classes and webinars, asked questions, and listened to those who know more than us. We have not been afraid to ask silly questions or speak up when we do not understand something. Always being willing to learn new things, regardless of your age, has been hugely successful for us.
Lastly, passion: You have to have passion for what you are doing. Regardless of the work, you will not put your best forward if you don’t love your work. If you plan to spend hours doing something, the day goes much better when you love and are passionate about your work.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
YES!! We are always looking for individuals and companies to collaborate with in many different areas. One of the most significant ways people can help and collaborate is through word of mouth or social media posts. The more caregivers know about our services, the more we can help them and their well-being. We are a small non-profit with big dreams, and we want to reach the far corners of the world to help validate and uplift dementia caregivers. To do this, we need the help of social media influencers and those with large social networks talking about our services. We would love to speak at your support groups or present for your company. We love to tell our story and talk about our mission.
We are always looking for restaurants to join our Dining Friendly Dementia program. Our training videos are short and informative; we can always do in-person or online lectures for staff members. With Jodie’s professional physical therapy background and geriatric training, our program is like no other.
Another way to collaborate is to dual-brand our caregiver cards. We can put your logo on our caregiver cards for a minimal design fee. Thus marketing your company and ours, all while helping caregivers in your community. If you are a senior living community, a memory care clinic, or have any clients with memory issues, dual branding our cards is a no-brainer.
The best way to contact us is through email at [email protected]. Our website also has our scheduling link to set up meetings or view companies with dual-banned cards with us. www.thecaregiverclub.org
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecaregiverclub.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiverclub/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiverclubSTL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-finney-53696b91/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/caregiver_club
Image Credits
Barbi Macon Photography
