Faith Communities
The African American church is a trusted source of support in African American culture. It is both community and spiritually based. Family caregivers, oftentimes in a state of crisis, turn to their faith leaders and faith communities to address their needs. Although the Church is a place of community that embraces wholeness through inspired faith, ongoing support, and spiritual direction, faith leaders and faith communities are not always prepared nor equipped to adequately address the family caregiver’s needs. The Detroit Family Caregivers’ Project— Living Our Legacies recognizes the legacy of the Church to be responsive to the needs of the community. An innovative and transformative methodology to train Facilitators will increase the Church’s capacity to help provide practical solutions and resources, in addition to spiritual guidance and inspiration that can help to foster improved health, well-being, and emotional resilience for family caregivers and their families.
Resources
Historically, some African American caregivers find it difficult to trust agencies and service providers who request personal information regarding finances, the names of relatives who have used similar services, and the disclosure of personal assets during the initial intervention. The Detroit Family Caregivers’ Project— Living Our Legacies will align with the Detroit Area Agency on Aging’s and other resource and service providers’ efforts to coordinate and centralize the scattered network of caregiving service providers, resource referral, and supportive services. Family caregivers will not be forced to cope alone because their families and faith communities will have anticipated and prepared for the seasons of life ahead.
7
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker