Using diverse outreach strategies to reach family caregivers

Product not yet rated

Only available as part of a package

According to recent research (https://www.aarp.org/ppi/info-2020/caregiving-in-the-united-states.html) approximately 53 million Americans provided unpaid care to a loved one in 2020. Reaching the people filling the important role of the family caregiver can be a challenge, but it is vital that family caregivers and the loved ones they care for are connected to the supportive services they need. Presenters will give an overview of older adults and caregivers in Texas. They will discuss how Texas reaches out and provides support to caregivers across the continuum. Presenters will also highlight campaigns and supports across the spectrum and showcase resources.

Holly Riley

Director of Aging Services Coordination

Texas Health and Human Services

Holly Riley, Texas Health and Human Services Aging Services Coordination Director, has worked for the state of Texas for over 22 years in the field of aging. Her work focuses on local and state policy and planning development and working with communities to build capacity and create quality of life enhancement options.Holly works throughout the state to establish partnerships that influence aging policies and programs and cultivate healthy lifestyle options for older adults. She provides support to the agency’s outreach and marketing efforts and enjoys opportunities where she can talk with state and local leaders about the importance of being of service to older adults.Her office implements innovative programs and campaigns that address the importance of preparing for our futures including the Aging Texas Well initiative, the Age Well Live Well campaign, and the internationally recognized Texercise program.Holly serves on a number of workgroups and is a member of the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health and Aging workgroup, and the Texas Respite Advisory Coalition.

Claire Irwin MA, BA

Age Well Live Well Coordinator

Texas Health and Human Services

Claire Irwin is the Age Well Live Well Program Coordinator with the Texas Health and Human Services Aging Services Coordination office. Claire oversees the statewide AWLW campaign which provides a positive, proactive healthy aging message to motivate individuals, organizations and community leadership to take action. The campaign utilizes three core elements - Be Healthy, Be Connected and Be Informed - to shape the messaging and deliver aging and living well resources. Claire works with community stakeholders to assess and develop local programs, partnerships and resources to grow their capacity to serve older adults and increase community awareness of aging issues and available services. Through her community work she identifies gaps in services and awareness, and she develops ad-hoc resources to help address the needs including: the AmeriCorps VISTA project, and the Texas Talks and Know your Neighbor campaigns. Claire’ subject matter expertise is social isolation and loneliness in older adults and methods for developing engagement options for older adults. She develops programs and resources that encourage older adults to stay engaged as they age.