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One U for Family Caregivers

For nearly 20 years, College of Nursing researchers, clinicians, and educators have been leading the way in supporting caregivers. The College is uniquely positioned to lead an interdisciplinary effort to revolutionize care and inform new methods of support for patients and their caregivers. 

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A growing, but largely unseen, group of family caregivers is quietly providing the healthcare many Americans receive. Their unpaid work is valued at $470 billion nationally ($4.2 billion in Utah) and often comes at the expense of caregivers health. The Family Caregiving Collaborative supports the advancement of person- and family-centered care, where patients and caregivers define their "family" and determine how they will participate in care and decision-making.

  • Through Education: Empower our future healthcare workforce to recognize the critical role of family caregivers.
  • Through Research and Practice: Test new approaches that support patient AND family caregiver health and well-being.
  • Through Outreach: Partner with community stakeholders and policy makers to improve the lives of family caregivers and those they care for.

The Collaborative's mission is to help create a future where caregivers of all ages, races, ethnicities, and gender are seen, heard, understood, valued, connected, and supported. 

Family Caregiving Initiative
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The first annual Utah Family Caregiving Forum (11/8/22) brought together over 90 caregivers, researchers, advocates, community/service providers, and healthcare professionals to learn about Utah specific data related to family caregivers and engage in discussion related to current and proposed family caregiver policies in Utah.  A recording of the event is available below for those who were unable to attend. 

  • Welcome and About the Family Caregiving Collaborative (FCC), Lee Ellington - Click HERE
  • First Session: Utah Caregiving Report, Michael Hogue, Kem C. Gardner Policy Center - Click HERE
  • Second Session: Using the Power of the Community, members of FCC's Caregiving Advisory Board - Click HERE
  • Final Session & Conclusion: Moving Forward Family Caregiving Policies in Utah, Caregiving Policy Panelists - Click HERE

Conversations with Caregiving Scientists: Virtual Speaker Series

Caregiving Research at the National Alliance for Caregiving: Priorities and Opportunities

Presenter: Fawn Cothran, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, FGSA, National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC)
Date: February 22, 2023 | 10:00am-11:00am

Presentation Recording

An Interactive Panel Discussion: Using Community Advisory Boards and Community Engagement to Enhance Caregiving Research and Caregiving Advocacy

Presenters: Rebecca Utz, PhD, and Debra Scammon, PhD, Family Caregiving Collaborative
Date: March 29, 2023 | 10:00am-11:00am

Presentation Recording

The Long Road to Implementation of Caregiver Support Programs: The Case of the COPE Program

Presenter: Laura Gitlin, PhD, FGSA, FAAN, Drexel University
Date: April 5, 2023 | 10:00am-11:00am

Presentation Recording

Current Studies Recruiting Family Caregiver Participants

Time for Living & Caring

Are you living with someone who has dementia? Join our online research study to share your experiences and ideas with others. Earn up to $250 in gift cards or a new Chromebook.  Must be 18 at least 18 and able to read and follow instructions in English. Contact us for more information at TLC@utah.edu. Visit our website.

Meet the Family Caregiving Collaborative Director

Lee Ellington, PhD

Contact Us

Christine Moua
Academic Program Manager, Family Caregiving Collaborative
christine.moua@nurs.utah.edu

Leadership

Lee Ellington, Director, FCC

Christine Moua, Academic Program Manager, FCC

Deidre Schoenfeld, Associate Director - Strategy, CON

Sara Hart, Senior Faculty Associate, CON

Rebecca Utz, Senior Faculty Associate, CSBS

Debra Scammon, Senior Faculty Associate, DESB