Caregivers in Missouri

According to a recent study published by the AARP and the National Alliance for Family Caregiving, more than one in five Americans (21.3%) have been a caregiver to an adult or child with special needs at some point in the past 12 months. This totals an estimated 53.0 million caregivers in the United States in 2020 - a significant increase from the estimated 43.5 million caregivers in 2015. Caregivers, especially those providing informal (unpaid) care to family and loved ones, are vitally important yet they are often not recognized or celebrated nearly enough.

Missouri’s Caregiver of the Year

Do you know someone who puts their life on hold to care for an ill family member or friend? If so, the Department of Health and Senior Services invites you to nominate that person for Caregiver of the Year.

The department will feature a story and photo of an unpaid caregiver each month. By December, an overall Caregiver of the Year will be selected. If you would like to nominate someone, complete the nomination form and the photo release form. Send both forms, along with a digital photo of the caregiver, to dsdsofficeofconstituentservices@health.mo.gov.

2023 Caregivers of the Month

• January 2023 Caregiver of the Month:  Connie Kempf
• February 2023 Caregiver of the Month:  Jennifer Chappel
• March 2023 Caregiver of the Month:  Kat White
• April 2023 Caregiver of the Month:  Jennifer Weaver

A Special Thank You from Melanie Highland, Director, Division of Senior and Disability Services

Beginning in 2017, the Department of Health and Senior Services began recognizing unpaid caregivers throughout Missouri. We wanted to give a face to these unsung heroes. We also wanted to provide caregivers with information on how to keep their loved ones safe at home and give them tips on how to manage their own stress. Since then, we have received numerous heart warming nominations making it very difficult to choose just one winner each month. I want to thank everyone who submitted nominations over the past years. I also want to encourage everyone to continue to submit nominations as we continue to honor caregivers in the future!

Caregiver Events

• Educating America Tour
  Missouri Alzheimer’s and Caregivers Conference
  Wednesday, September 13 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel
  9801 Natural Bridge Road
  St. Louis, MO

Resources

• Missouri Caregiver Resources
• Customized Caregiver Training and Relief Program
• In-Home Resources for Falls Prevention and Dementia Care
• Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action)
• Make Yourself a Priority, Too: Tips for Caregivers
• 10 Ways to Manage Caregiver Stress
• Family Caregiver Alliance
• American Society on Aging
• Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
• Caregiver Fact Sheets
• Caregiving in the United States – 2020
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Caregiver Action Network
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) - Sign Up to be on the NIA for
  Caregivers List and Receive Helpful Information and Tips
• Elder Care Locator
• Help for First Time Caregivers
• National Alliance for Caregiving
• Preparing Your Home for Safe Mobility – AARP
• Stay Connected to Combat Loneliness and Social Isolation
• United Way 2-1-1
• Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging
• Home & Community Based Services
• Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of the Elderly and Disabled