Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers

Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers RCI promotes the health, strength, and resilience of all caregivers at every stage of their journey.

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is now part of The Carter Center. Stay connected at cartercenter.org and on...
07/02/2025

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is now part of The Carter Center. Stay connected at cartercenter.org and on social media at:

LinkedIn: The Carter Center
Facebook: The Carter Center
Instagram: thecartercenter
Threads: thecartercenter
Bluesky: cartercenter.bsky.social

💜 Saying thank you & see you again with honor, kindness & gratitude 🙏To everyone who has supported our mission to enhanc...
06/30/2025

💜 Saying thank you & see you again with honor, kindness & gratitude 🙏

To everyone who has supported our mission to enhance the lives of family caregivers everywhere.

First, thank you to Mrs. Carter, who saw this vision before we realized we, too, need support.

To our community: your dedication, advocacy, and support have helped us create resources, provide training, and build a caregiver community. Because of YOU, caregivers feel less alone, and their needs are more visible. We are truly grateful.

From each of us: we now join you in continuing this mission across communities, neighborhoods, and relationships.

From our team: Mandy Fuller Barr, Ke (Kelly) Wang, Ph.D., Lezlie Poole, Chelsea Harper, Karl Bond, & Paurvi Bhatt, MPH, from the RCI Board of Directors: COL. George Fredrick, Kathryn Cade, Judy Fitzgerald, & Greg Fricchione, and from many generations of staff, leaders, partners, and community members and more.

To all of our partners, funders, and community supporters, your commitment has made a difference. To people in the care of others and those who have people in their care, your resilience, compassion, and courage inspire us daily. And to our social media community, thank you for amplifying caregivers’ voices, championing their well-being, and being here day in and day out to show support and build a strong community.

Finally, and most importantly, we’re deeply grateful to The Carter Center for continuing to lead this important work of seeing, hearing, and supporting family caregivers and advocating for their needs.

While this is our final post on this channel, the work Mrs. Carter started decades ago continues and will flourish and evolve through The Carter Center. We will do more than follow them; we ask that we all join together to make this growth a reality.

As caregiving needs escalate across our communities—bringing rising loneliness, social disconnection, and overwhelming d...
06/30/2025

As caregiving needs escalate across our communities—bringing rising loneliness, social disconnection, and overwhelming demands—many caregivers face exhaustion and isolation, often without the support they deserve.

At The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Paurvi Bhatt, MPH, CEO of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers emphasizes the critical moment we are in, one where caregiving and social disconnection are impacting us and where our connections to technology will need deeper focus. This is especially true as we redefine caregiver support, center young caregivers, and design and expand solutions tailored for rural and harder-to-reach communities.

On RCI’s final day, this message is especially impactful: “We all have a role in fostering connection and support—because caregiving isn’t just a burden; it’s a community commitment.”

Together, these strategies can create a future where caregivers are seen, supported, and connected—in every way.

Read the full article: https://www.ajc.com/opinion/2025/06/are-americans-truly-connected-behold-twin-tsunami-of-care-disconnection/

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is merging with the Carter Center, but the work on caregiving will continue on and is even more important.

In the heart of rural communities, a special kind of strength resides: the unwavering dedication of rural caregivers. It...
06/27/2025

In the heart of rural communities, a special kind of strength resides: the unwavering dedication of rural caregivers.

It's a world where…

→ Community is Everything: Informal networks become the lifeline, where neighbors and faith communities step in where formal services fall short.
→ Resources are Scarce: 21.5% higher caregiving prevalence meets 35% fewer home health aides.
→ Distance Matters: Travel times to specialists stretch for hours, broadband access is limited, and even getting to the grocery store can be a challenge.
→ You're Doing More with Less: Financial stress is higher, and support systems often feel distant.

But in the face of these challenges, resilience shines!

That's why the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is committed to meeting rural caregivers where they are:

→ Community-Based Partnerships: Working with trusted local institutions to deliver support within your existing networks.
→ Distance-Accessible Design: Multi-modal program delivery (virtual, in-person, print) that accommodates transportation and broadband limitations.
→ Rural-Informed Programs: Creating resources that reflect the unique realities of your life.

Data from our programs shows that rural caregivers are able to improve their lives. We’re constantly listening, learning, and responding to the unique needs of rural caregivers, because we believe that when programs are grounded in research and informed by cultural context, they truly work. We see you, you matter, and we are here to support you.

What are the biggest challenges facing rural caregivers in your community?

Share your thoughts below, and then explore our new Impact Paper for data-driven insights and solutions: https://rosalynncarter.org/rci-impact-papers/

🌟 The Power of Listening to Learn: Impact of Caregiver Profiles 🌟Which profile resonates with you? We asked, and you sha...
06/26/2025

🌟 The Power of Listening to Learn: Impact of Caregiver Profiles 🌟

Which profile resonates with you? We asked, and you shared…in conversations, and in social media. Here’s what we learned 👇

Over these past months, RCI engaged experts, caregivers, and our community to help us learn how our innovative Caregiver Profiles©️ can better support family caregivers. You helped us see that caregivers are looking for and benefit from tailored support that reflects their unique experiences — beyond just the care recipient’s diagnosis. These profiles aren’t labels—they serve as essential educational tools and practical guides for providers to tailor resources at every phase. They also hold promise as assessment and resource-mapping tools, enabling targeted, data-driven support.

On social media you were most interested in these Profiles:

→ Managing Illness Decline
→ End-of-Life Care
→ Post-Caregiving Transition

Via our expert councils and roundtables:

RCI, Duke University, and UNC teamed up with 12 experts from diverse fields— including employers, researchers, and community organizations — to explore ways to apply and integrate these Profiles. We learned that:

🤝 RCI Caregiver Profiles©️ can complement existing assessments to better tailor resources
🙋‍♀️ Caregivers can self-identify and advocate for support throughout their journey using these profiles.

Why does this matter? Our insights shaped 10 caregiver profiles that shift focus from the patient’s diagnosis to the caregiver’s experience. Whether you’re coping with a crisis, managing ongoing care, or navigating post-care, one of these profiles will resonate with you.

Understanding caregivers’ diverse experiences fosters better policies and community support — transforming caregiving from a challenge into a supported journey.

Explore our Caregiver Profiles below, and hear from Lezlie Poole how listening to caregivers leads to meaningful change in Georgia and beyond at Georgia Public Broadcasting: https://www.gpb.org/news/2025/06/18/how-the-rosalynn-carter-institute-for-caregivers-advocates-for-georgians-caring-for

Because every caregiver’s story matters — and listening paves the way for better support for all.

🌪️ Preparing for the Unexpected: A Legacy of Impact 🌪️Severe weather in the summer months can arrive suddenly and unexpe...
06/25/2025

🌪️ Preparing for the Unexpected: A Legacy of Impact 🌪️

Severe weather in the summer months can arrive suddenly and unexpectedly—from hurricanes and tornadoes to hail and flooding. For family and military caregivers, this makes emergency preparedness more vital than ever. Staying ahead and being prepared can help protect your loved ones, your home, and your peace of mind, today and in the future.

As a caregiver, you are one of 53 million Americans caring for someone older, ill, or disabled. Often, you are the only one attending to their daily needs—especially during emergencies. Your dedication is unparalleled, and your resilience is inspiring.

Through partnerships with government agencies like FEMA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, RCI has led innovative efforts to ensure family caregivers and those they care for are prepared, supported, and recognized—especially during disasters.

In recognition of your dedication, FEMA and RCI have created Disaster Preparedness Guides for Caregivers. Designed specifically to support you, this guide will help you navigate the complexities of disaster planning, identify your loved one’s needs, and build your confidence in responding to any emergency.

Remember: You are already ahead in your preparedness journey, equipped with experience and compassion. Now, through these guide, you'll learn how to connect with your community, address your unique circumstances, and ensure safety for everyone in your care.

Download your free guide today and help build a legacy of safety, resilience, and hope for your family and community. Because when we prepare today, we inspire a future where caregivers and those they care for are resilient in the face of any storm.

👉 https://rosalynncarter.org/emergency-preparedness/

“[Caregiving is] profoundly unifying at a time when all we hear about how divided we are… The truth is that everyone ben...
06/24/2025

“[Caregiving is] profoundly unifying at a time when all we hear about how divided we are…

The truth is that everyone benefits from a strong care infrastructure in this country, doesn't matter who you are, where you live, what you do, where you come from, who you call family…

The story of caregiving in America is everyone's story."

Every moment, caregivers transform lives, and they need to be seen and heard — today and every day.

RCI is proud to have partnered with WETA to shine a powerful light on the caregiving experience through the PBS documentary Caregiving, airing tonight at 8 p.m. ET on WETA PBS and PBS stations nationwide.

We thank WETA, PBS, executive producer Bradley Cooper, and our fellow organizations — as well as family caregivers themselves — for this work and for enabling former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Josh Carter to share their voices and stories.

We know that while family caregivers transform lives, millions face loneliness, burnout, and invisibility every day. Caregiving elevates these voices and shares profound stories that remind us: we all have a role to play. 🤝Whether through raising awareness, advocating for better support, or simply acknowledging the tireless work of caregivers — every action matters.

Inspired by the powerful legacy of Rosalynn Carter, whose lifelong work has championed caregiver support, Caregiving highlights both the struggles and the extraordinary resilience of over 105 million family caregivers across the country. Mrs. Carter’s grandson, Josh Carter, continues her mission, sharing his vision for a future where caregivers are seen, supported, and celebrated.

Watch Caregiving: https://www.pbs.org/show/caregiving/

"If someone is getting into a caregiver role, it's going to be hard, it's going to be challenging, it may be the most ch...
06/23/2025

"If someone is getting into a caregiver role, it's going to be hard, it's going to be challenging, it may be the most challenging thing you'll ever do – but you should know that you're not alone." — Josh Carter

✨ Young Caregivers: Honoring Caregivers, Supporting Futures ✨

Across the U.S., over 5.4 million young people are balancing school, jobs, and caregiving—many face significant emotional, educational, and health challenges. Data shows 27% of youth caregivers are not enrolled in school, and 22% drop out to care for loved ones, often facing long-term setbacks.

RCI’s Youth Impact Paper (https://rosalynncarter.org/rci-impact-papers/) highlights both the struggles and resilience of these young caregivers, like Brittany, who cares for her grandmother with dementia while pursuing her dreams. She’s a reminder that strong support can enable young caregivers to build their futures.

Supporting youth caregivers through policies that increase access to education, healthcare, and community recognition is vital. The John and Betty Pope Caregiver Scholarship at Georgia Southwestern State University exemplifies how investing in their future empowers these young people to succeed. Brittany’s story illustrates the profound impact of such support, fueling her goal to improve long-term care.

When we better support youth caregivers, we foster a generation of resilient, skilled individuals poised to transform caregiving and health systems for all.

⤑ Learn more about RCI’s impact work with Youth Caregivers: https://rosalynncarter.org/rci-impact-papers/
⤑ Read Brittany’s full story and learn more about how the John and Betty Pope Caregiver Scholarship is transforming lives at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/aging-in-atlanta/georgia-southwestern-scholarship-assists-students-in-caregiving-roles/WDET7GS7SFH53JBOGAKFYDOPIM/

06/21/2025

“I had a lot of opportunities, I hope people think I took advantage of them and did the best I could with them.” —-Rosalynn Carter

RCI’s journey as an organization is inspired by the life journey, voice, and focus of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Her lifelong lived experience as a caregiver, and using her opportunities to bring this journey to inspire into shaping a movement. This journey is an important history of the care ecosystem which is now the care economy, and a rare opportunity to appreciate the evolution of compassion, connection, evidence, and policy change.

Her own voice inspires us as we navigate change, feel the pressure, pause in facing how to lead, and then find energy and possibility on claiming opportunities to lead forward. The future relies on us to move ahead.

Caregivers need space, they feel isolated and alone, facing immense challenges, and support is the ask that needs to be answered.

That's why years of work across generations of caregivers, communities, RCI stakeholders, staff, and leaders, allows us to share a history that is the history of care, and elevates research and data-driven insights to better understand what is needed next.

Take a look at how Mrs. Carter articulates the moment we have, and the opportunities ahead of us – to have the courage to lead with care.

In the final days of RCI, we remain committed to ensuring caregivers everywhere know they are supported and never alone.

"We must strive for inclusivity and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed."  — Rosalynn CarterThis on...
06/19/2025

"We must strive for inclusivity and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed." — Rosalynn Carter

This ongoing journey toward equity and justice moves forward with each of our intention and focus,

is a powerful reminder of the power of community, the interconnectedness of care, that enables us to refuel our resilience and commitment to freedom and fairness for all.

Today we honor, learn from, and join in the strength of Black communities. Caring for and with each other requires we build a future rooted in inclusion, just as former First Lady Rosalynn Carter reminds us to see, hear, and support each other with care.

It’s getting hot, it’s overwhelming, and it’s a time of joy. And yet, for many caregivers, the pressure can feel amplifi...
06/18/2025

It’s getting hot, it’s overwhelming, and it’s a time of joy. And yet, for many caregivers, the pressure can feel amplified.

With so many things moving at the same time, school is out, overscheduling time together, hoping for a break, facing severe weather, navigating intense emotions and added responsibilities is a daily reality.

We know that up to 70% of family caregivers experience loneliness and depression. If the weight of caregiving feels especially heavy right now, please remember: you're not alone. Help is available.

Text TOUGH to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 via the Crisis Text Line. Taking that first step can make a difference. We all have to find the moments of support, the moments to text if help is needed - it matters and will make a difference.

We see you, we honor you, and we encourage you to prioritize your mental well-being, now and always.

"I believe that one of the most important things to learn in life is that you can make a difference in your community no...
06/17/2025

"I believe that one of the most important things to learn in life is that you can make a difference in your community no matter who you are or where you live." – Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

We all are part of the solution when care requires the unique focus on each person, culture and family. As we near the end of the month, and the final days of the RCI, we elevate the ongoing importance of inclusion—every day, every month, and every year.

What does it mean to include? It means to be part of the whole, to involve and embrace. Isn’t this the very essence of what it means to be supported and to care? It is fitting that we elevate this concept as we conclude. A commitment to include helps us build stronger, more compassionate communities where everyone’s voice is valued. And, in order for all parts of care to be part of the whole of healthcare, we need family caregivers to be included - all of us, everywhere.

For decades, RCI has taken this to heart by striving to ensure all caregivers are visible in the data—including those whose experiences have historically been overlooked. By capturing diverse perspectives and cultural contexts, we build a more complete, compassionate picture of caregiving.

Here are some of our findings:

🫶 Hispanic caregivers are more likely to describe caregiving as rewarding and valuable than their non-Hispanic peers
👩‍⚕️ Women comprise 80% of our program participants
😓 The younger caregivers are more effectively learning about and applying care skills to navigate the family-work dual responsibilities. Younger caregivers are more likely than older caregivers to report the challenges they face
🧑‍🌾 Rural caregivers face significantly limited access to resources and support; and reported significantly higher financial stress than urban caregivers.

Our programs are about more than numbers. Data informs our work, but our ultimate goal is to create more equitable, inclusive models that address each community’s unique needs.

How can this understanding transform your community? Share your experiences, then explore our latest Impact Paper for detailed insights and data-driven solutions: https://rosalynncarter.org/rci-impact-papers/

With more than three decades of experience, RCI is pleased to announce the release of key insights regarding family caregivers, designed to enhance understanding within our community. Grounded in the belief that informed understanding is the catalyst for effective action, we have compiled our rigoro...

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Who We Are: The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) was established in 1987, rooted in former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s belief that there are only four types of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, who are caregivers, who will be caregivers, and who will need caregivers. RCI was established at Georgia Southwestern State University in her honor.

RCI began offering coaching and support to caregivers in Georgia and has since grown to embrace opportunities to reach more caregivers, in more ways, in more places.

In 2020, RCI expanded nationally and became an independent organization to fulfill its promise to champion the family caregiver by building cross-sector partnerships, promoting evidence-based programs, and advocating for public policy. To meet this vision, RCI changed its name to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, further prioritizing that supporting caregivers are at the core of RCI’s mission.

With more than 53 million people serving as unpaid family caregivers in the United States, the institute’s scope and work continues to evolve under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Olsen, a prominent epidemiologist, in partnership with Mrs. Carter.