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NOVEMBER IS FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH

Posted on by wisibs

More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.  Family caregivers are the foundation of long-term care nationwide, exceeding Medicaid long-term care spending in all states.  National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare. March 2009

While most siblings don’t think of themselves as caregivers for their sisters and brothers with disabilities, it is one of the many roles they play, whether they are children or adults. Sisters especially play a huge role throughout their lives in providing care, companionship, and other needs of their siblings with disabilities, sometimes even from long distance.

“My sister doesn’t live with me but we have a routine that every night I call her and read her a story,” explained Barb Wentzel in a recent Sibling Panel discussion.

Siblings also recognize and value the need for paid caregivers to provide respite for their parents who may be doing the bulk of the caregiving. “It is important that parents receive respite care so they are able to pursue things that are important to them and spend time with their other children.” stated Christiana Yablonowski in her recent Sibling’s Choice nomination to honor Todd Steven & Associates for providing care and community support for her brother. READ MORE ABOUT SIBLING’S CHOICE AWARD  WINNERS

WisconSibs, Inc. is a member of the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA) dedicated to the needs of caregivers and advocating for them.

Did you know? (facts identified in a recent survey of WI family caregivers conducted by WFACSA)

  • 73% of caregivers are not meeting their own personal needs
  • 60% are not balancing needs of their other children and family members
  • 72% of caregivers are tired/worn out a lot of the time
  • 64% social life has decreased
  • 90% indicate their emotional and/or physical health has worsened

Learn more at http://wisconsincaregiver.org/alliance

Earlier this year WI Governor Tony Evers has set up a special Caregiving Task Force to identify ways WI caregivers can be better supported. See his recent proclamation.

Wisconsin Family Caregivers!
We celebrate you. We thank you, especially the often overlooked life-long role siblings
play in the care and nurturing of their siblings with disabilities.

 


National Caregiver Day – Feb 15, 2019

Posted on by wisibs

It is estimated that in Wisconsin, 549,000 caregivers are providing 588,000 million hours of care to loved ones annually, valued at nearly $6 billion dollars.[1]  MORE INFO

Making up a significant portion of those caregivers are siblings caring for their aging parents AND their siblings with disabilities, often while caring for their own growing children!

To recognize the care providers, both paid and unpaid, who provide personal cares of all types to people with disabilities, older adults and other family members and friends who require support to remain healthy and living in their homes and communities, we celebrate National Caregiver Day on February 15, 2019 (3rd Friday of February).

Many of the siblings, usually sisters, caring for family members are also employees and often challenged to juggle the needs of their family members with job requirements. Often they must choose to either remain employed or leave to care for their family. Employers are feeling the effects.

Wisconsin employers recently confirmed the impact of caregiving on the Wisconsin workforce in a survey sponsored by the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA). WisconSibs is an active member of WFACSA.

 

PRESS RELEASE

[1] National Center on Caregiving https://www.caregiver.org/caregiving-across-states-50-state-profiles-2014

 


Upcoming events for 2019

Posted on by wisibs

Time to mark your 2019 calendar:

Sibshops

February 9, 2019 – 2-4 pm – YMCA, Kimberly
March 3, 2019 – 1:30 – 3:30 pm – Old 45 Archery, Hortonville – note – SPA Sibshop
April 11-13, 2019 – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
May 2-3, 2019 – Circles of Life Conference Sibshop Form

Summer Camps

NEW!June 20-23, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 9 plus in TENTS, Door County
July 22-26, 2019 – SibDays of Summer for ages 6-12, Plamann Park
August 8-11, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 9-11 in YURTS, Door County
August 15-18, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 12 – 16 in YURTS, Door County

Teen Sibs

February 9, 2019 – WisconSibs Facilitator Training – Appleton

April 12-13, 2019 – Leadership trip – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
June 13, 2019 – Teen Sib Leadership Day – Beaming, Neenah
July 22-26, 2019 – SibDays of Summer for Teen Sib Leaders, Plamann Park

Fundraisers

March 8, 2019 – Vegas Madness – Timber Rattler’s Fox Club, Appleton
October 22, 2019 – Celebrate Sisterhood – Red Lion Hotel, Appleton

Conferences and Trainings

February 7, 2019 – Dementia in Persons with IDD, Appleton
February 9, 2019 – WisconSibs Facilitator Training, Appleton
March 9, 2019 – K.I.T.E. Conference, Appleton
March 20, 2019 – Disability Advocacy Day, Madison
April 11-13, 2019 – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
May 2-3, 2019 – Circles of Life Conference, Stevens Point Sibshop Registration Form

Other

January 10, 2019 – TOP 10 THINGS SIBS WANT YOU TO KNOW,Kaukauna
March 1-31, 2019 – Sibs Are My Peeps photo contest- open to all individuals and groups
April 6, 2019 – Fox Cities KIDZ EXPO – WisconSibs Sibling’s Day Celebration, Appleton

Watch for more updates on our calendar page


“The SibDays of Summer are the best days of the year!!”

Posted on by wisibs

At least that’s how these kids seem to feel.  While its the long and hot “Dog Days of Summer” for the rest of Wisconsin, these WisconSibs ages 6-12 and their teen/young adult counselors, all (but 2) having siblings with disabilities, are having a blast at the “SibDays of Summer”.

Learn more about their week of activities and growth by downloading their SibDaily News issues.

Newsletter-July 23 2018

Newsletter-July 24 2018

Newsletter-July 25 2018

Newsletter-July 26 2018

Can’t wait for next year!! In the meantime, watch for information about Sibshops starting in September.