LeadingAge will leverage National Caregivers Day to mobilize the public to demand that policy makers act with urgency to address the current caregiver workforce crisis. You can urge your federal lawmakers to support aging services caregivers by cosponsoring the Better Care Better Jobs Act; check with your LeadingAge state partner for a state-specific action alert; and use the materials below to help us elevate urgent workforce needs.

Communications Resources

• Messages
• A template newsletter or web story ready for personalization
• Social media text (to accompany photos of your caregiving professionals)
• Action alert on the Better Care Better Jobs Act

Communications Tips

• Let your team members shine. Use real, not stock, photos (even if you sacrifice a bit of quality). Authenticity wins!
• Include the caregivers’ own words. It’s great if residents or clients want to express appreciation, too!
• In your text, use words that emphasize the caregivers’ training (such as professional, well-trained and expert) and their heart (such as compassionate, dedicated, devoted, kind). 
• Incorporate video. Videos don’t need to be highly produced. Use short, genuine mobile phone videos from staff or residents will liven up your feed.
• Use the hashtag #NationalCaregiversDay. Tag LeadingAge in your Facebook and LinkedIn posts and @LeadingAge on Instagram.

Core Messages

• Dedicated professional caregivers are the heart and soul of the aging services field, making a difference in older adults’ lives every day.
• The compassionate professionals working in aging services are experts in providing the essential support we need as we grow older.
• When family caregivers need extra help, dedicated aging services professionals are ready to provide the quality care and services that help older adults live better and thrive.
• Professional caregivers are indispensable—without them, there is no care.
• Federal and state lawmakers should act immediately to provide resources to recruit, train, fairly compensate, and retain a sufficient professional caregiving workforce.

Note: These assets follow the communications strategies presented in Opening Doors to Aging Services  and Opening Doors to the Aging Services Workforce initiatives, the initiative to introduce our field to the public and prospective workers. Research for that initiative found that professional caregivers are among the most trusted messengers about our field. If you haven’t yet, please use Opening Doors resources in your communications year-round. Start by reviewing the LeadingAge Language Guide.

Thank you for joining us to mark National Caregivers Day!