Maintain Financial Sustainability
Care partners who understand their options and available resources have lower out-of-pocket spending as well as having decreased borrowing against their own financial future.
If you have a role providing physical, social, emotional, or financial support to an adult loved one - a relative, a friend, or a neighbor - due to a physical, mental, age-related, or potentially life-limiting condition or disability, you are a Care Partner.
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Caregiven’s platform and mobile application promote engagement and more meaningful connection between care partners and their loved ones by offering clarity and providing support to help with caregiving challenges. Our products empower individuals to confidently and securely exchange vital information and help with the many decision-making processes while honoring the emotional needs of everyone involved.
Every care journey is unique, but that does not mean there are not shared emotions or milestones that every family will face. Caregiven has identified these moments to create a roadmap that we use to help people recognize what they will need to know and when they need to know it. As a result, many of the unknowns become known, and families can make decisions proactively.
Caring for a loved one requires a collective effort. We help you create your Care Circle while each individual manages their specific user preferences. The Care Circle empowers everybody to show up as their true authentic self to contribute to their loved one's care and nurturing.
Caregiven offers individuals curated guidance and advice much like any in-person care navigator. But ours is through an interactive platform. Users get tailored support from subject matter experts across all touch-points in a care journey: medical, legal, financial, logistical, familial, emotional, and legacy. This advice is based on chatbot interactions, a comprehensive understanding of where the family is within the care journey, and the individual's stated needs. The resulting trusted guidance helps people feel more confident in their care role and make the most of their time and professional support.
Coordinating services and appointments and managing logistics amongst all care partners can be the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of the caregiving role. The stress of figuring all this out contributes to carer overwhelm and burnout. Caregiven’s appointment feature enables clear communication among all involved. It serves as a secure and convenient place to keep everyone in the Care Circle - both informal and professional - engaged through proactive reminders, messaging, and the single-point sharing of notes and updates.
Caregiven decreases administrative paperwork so that people have more meaningful time with their loved one. Knowing what documents are most important, where to get them, how to make and share decisions is overwhelming and complicated for families that are already experiencing the emotional and physical struggles of caring for a loved one. This feature embeds links and guides so that care partners know what needs to be prepared at each stage of the care journey and by whom.
Often, individuals put the needs of caring for another before their own, which is very true of those caring for a loved one. Some carers report positive outcomes such as closer relationships, greater appreciation of life, increased empathy, and a positive self-view. Many can also experience anxiety, depression, and a decline in quality of life. You must look after your own physical and mental health every day so you can continue to provide the support and compassion your loved one needs. Caregiven guides and supports carer wellbeing without making it another expectation.
Providing the structure and guidance you need to confidentially manage the care journey of a loved one.
We’ll be frank. This is going to be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. No matter who we are and how prepared we think we are, we are never prepared for being thrust into the situation of caregiving for a loved one with a serious or terminal illness or at their end of life.
There will be many moments when you will not be at your best. Sometimes, that will be obvious, but sometimes, you won’t even know it. We want you to know that it’s okay. Perfection is a dangerous myth and a bogus standard that only causes pain. Embrace your imperfection, your humanity. It’s the honest thing to do. It’ll make this journey easier -- and more beautiful.
The sheer amount of information that gets thrown at you will be overwhelming. You don’t have to know everything all at once. You don’t have to memorize it. Write it down. Come back to it later. That’s why Caregiven’s here.
There are only a handful of things you can plan for. Everything changes, sometimes so quickly you can almost feel the breeze as it speeds by. You don’t need to find all the solutions now. All you need to do is make the next right move.
You’ll get advice from all corners of your world. Remember that you get to shape the journey for yourself and your loved one. Only you know what’s truly best for you. There won’t be objective rights and wrongs, only choices that are the best for you and your loved one in your specific, unique circumstances. You get to decide.
And finally, you’ll experience intense feelings, ones that will feel like they could destroy you, along with the depths of love and gratitude you’ve never felt before. All of those feelings are okay. All of them are normal.
And don’t forget to laugh. Sometimes the most challenging things need the most laughter. Be silly. Make bad, inappropriate jokes. Laugh at yourself. Laugh with your loved one. As they say, it’s the best medicine. It truly is.
And remember, you’ll get through.
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1. Download the Caregiven App here.
2. Reach out to your employer, insurer, or aged care service provider to see if they offer Caregiven.
3. Read our blogs, follow us on social media - Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and share with others who are also caring for a loved one.
Most caregiving is provided by care partners - the informal or unpaid individual who rises to the occasion to care for someone in need. These heroic humans are estimated to spend an average of 32.5 hours per week providing care compared with an assumed 5 hours of weekly care for non-primary carers. Calculating the value of informal carers is a step towards recognizing their contributions and opening a dialogue on how to best support these carers to enhance their utilization in the workforce market and well-being outcomes
Care partners who understand their options and available resources have lower out-of-pocket spending as well as having decreased borrowing against their own financial future.
Care recipients with an engaged care partner are 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital.
Loved ones are able to remain living independently and delay care facility placement by more than 20 months.
When supported, employees with care partner obligations are less likely to be absent. This support also positively influences their behaviors, social connectedness, and workforce engagement on their health status.
Founder & CEO
This is my favorite photo of my father and me; I still have the sweater he’s wearing. And this is how I always think of him - willing to look you in the eye, a gentle smile that suggests his incredible humor, and a willingness to listen, learn and guide.
I founded Caregiven so that no other daughter would feel as I did when caring for my Dad. As the company's CEO, I strive to change all caregivers' lives so they can better support their loved ones. I do this by sharing our company vision, bringing together an extraordinary team who use their experiences in care and loss to their life's work, and securing the resources and partners needed to deliver Caregiven to those who most need it, when they need it most.
When my father was diagnosed, I chose to read his favorite book as a way of knowing him a little better. The book, How Green Was My Valley, inspired me to think about loss - of a loved one, of a life stage, of a place and time - not with regret for what’s gone, but with comfort at what I had.
“Men like my father cannot die.
They are with me still, real in memory as they were in flesh, loving and beloved forever.”
- Richard Llewellyn, How Green Was My Valley
Connection
My core value is bringing individuals together based on similarities and a shared experience so that we can understand and celebrate our differences.
I have an amazing family, including my son, Dillon, and daughter, Alison (named in honor of my Dad), and I am blessed with incredible friendships that span the globe, having lived in three countries on three continents.
Cofounder & CTO
This is one of few photos with both my mom and me. We were at Camp 18 on our way to the Oregon coast, just out having a good time as a family.
My mom loved the beach, and she loved having fun. Growing up in California, she often took us to one of the various Bay Area beaches where my sister and I would immediately jump in the waves, so I love that this photo was taken on a trip to the beach. We’d fly kites sometimes, and my mom loved throwing a Frisbee, especially if we had a dog with us. I’d stay in the water too long and fall asleep on the way home.
As the Co-founder & CTO, I’m fortunate to work with talented and generous people to build the technology that would have made caring for my mom so much easier. I enjoy blending my love of software and technology with the various experiences and ideas our team brings.
In the past, building an international organization to provide foundational microservices and UI components for a large SaaS company has been a huge highlight of my career. I enjoyed finding ways to support the 60 engineering teams at my company with common services that made us more efficient, kept our products consistent, and improved security.
My mom loved Oprah Winfrey and quoted her often.
Integrity, Optimism, and Inappropriate Humor
When my mom had cancer, we came up with three core values together: integrity, optimism, and inappropriate humor. I now find it hard to separate them—though it was definitely the inappropriate humor that got us through.
I enjoy learning more than just about anything, so I’m a bit of a serial hobbyist. Lately, I’ve tried my hand at watercolors and cross-stitch. My husband and I built a raised bed garden last year, as well as a catio so our indoor cats can be safely outside. My constant loves are reading and traveling.
General Executive, Australia
This was taken shortly before Dad passed away. Family members had travelled to Brisbane, including his two brothers and cousin from overseas. We had ten days together, and when this photo was taken, I remember thinking how lucky we were to have so many laughs at such a difficult time. The highlight was our nights of Irish music, where my sister played the fiddle. We all picked up instruments and just sang.
At Caregiven, I hold a dual role of Chief People Officer and General Executive, Australia.
My Executive and Board experience supports the People & Culture aspect of my role.
With the Australian side of the business, I will draw on my financial services and operations background, surrounding myself with a team of Aged Care specialists, Human Centre Design expertise, and those with a strong desire to make a difference.
Some people say the Caregiven logo is a little bit like a shamrock, so my quote to share is:
“For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way: Good health, good luck and happiness for today and every day.”
Reliability
I place great importance on being known for delivering on commitments and promises. Fundamentally, this is how to make life (and what we do) more manageable, more enjoyable, and more rewarding.
I am a mother of two children, and I love my family and friendships. I am grateful for the amazing people I know and regularly meet. For fun, I enjoy singing in my acoustic duo, preferably at a fabulous wine bar.
Marketing Director
This is a photo of my family and me. We were on my apartment rooftop in San Francisco, looking at the Bay, Alcatraz, and the City. We were together, and it was a fun time.
We were all in one place. It was pretty amazing. My parents lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Carin lived in Washington DC, and I was in San Francisco, CA.
As a family, we had excellent times that helped us through lots of disruptions. Whether sticking together during the Vietnam War, where my dad served all tours as a fighter pilot, or moving every few years, we were constantly seeking out fun as well as ways to keep a lively sense of curiosity together.
There was an urgency in my family to live very full lives NOW, not tomorrow. I am glad for that spirit and for all we did together
I have spent my career in advertising, marketing and service roles, primarily with startup entrepreneurs. Good marketing and communications center around a person's experience from the first encounter to how they feel about their choices in the long run. I make it a mission to fulfill the promise from start to finish.
Integrity
I believe in honesty and ethical principles with people, in my work, and in commitments. That is my inner compass.
I climbed Mt Hood with my sister Carin in 2008, a week after she was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time. That first accomplishment gave us confidence, so Carin and I summited Mt Saint Helens a year later to celebrate her recovery.
Next, I went on my own to Tanzania to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in 2011. I carried photos of my family with me and also brought them in my heart.
My favorite thing to do is take that first step out the door, go someplace, learn something, and get involved with people in another culture. It reinforces that we all want the same basic things in life regardless of country, religion, or terrain.
Customer Experience
One of many piano recitals and proud parent photos, this one hints at the essence of my mother’s adoration for family. While dad and I looked at the camera, she instead gazed joyously at us. Taking care of the family was everything to mom; her selflessness fostered a 65-year marriage and helped me understand the meaning of dedication.
Grant Coordinator and "Jill of All Trades."
Although education and financial background root me in numbers and details, unexpected caregiver responsibilities opened my eyes to the broader spectrum of how I can utilize the breadth of my experiences to further causes for the greater good of humanity. I'm honored to advance Caregiven's partnerships across the globe to further caregiver support.
I have had success as both an employed and consulting financial professional focused on budgeting, process efficiency, and software implementation. After my parents' passings, I directed estate-related legal matters and prepared tax filings.
"There are only four kinds of people in this world-- those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who need caregivers."
Dedication
Dedication lies at the center of all my endeavors, work or otherwise. My mother exhibited overwhelming dedication related to family; my father dedicated himself to work and financial stability. Although my draw towards work came more naturally, caregiving for loved ones allowed me to realize the even greater depth of dedication I held for those in need. I’m proud to offer my dedication to furthering Caregiven’s mission.
While I love to travel, my husband and I are more than content listening to music or enjoying an afternoon and sunset at our local beach. We also aren’t ashamed to spoil our very handsome dog Riley. Musts for me include running, yoga, and cooking. I also very much enjoy reading and playing the piano.
"Stressed out family caregivers don't have the time to sift through the existing islands of online information trying to find answers and support. They need a unique caregiver app like Caregiven that meets a family caregiver at that "aperture" moment. An app that holds their hand and guides them to the right support and solutions. This app is a game-changer in helping families to navigate the complex and overwhelming caregiver landscape."
Melissa Rowley
Board Chair for the Caregiver Action Network
Apr 13, 2021by Caregiven Team
Most caregiving is provided by "care partners" -- the informal or unpaid individuals who step up to care for a loved...
Feb 23, 2021by Beth Cavenaugh
The following is a guest blog written by Beth Cavenaugh, the author of Some Light at the End. Beth is a Certified...
Feb 9, 2021by Candice Smith
It’s humbling to need help, particularly when the help you need is with things that are so basic and have been so easy...