This episode of Caregiver Conversations features Laura Reddick and Crystal White from the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) discussing caregiver support services, respite care, and self-care for caregivers. The conversation explores DAAA’s programs, including caregiver education, training, kinship support, and health and wellness initiatives. Laura and Crystal share their personal caregiving experiences, emphasizing the importance of early planning, stress management, and seeking available resources. The discussion also highlights the growing number of male caregivers, their unique challenges, and how DAAA is fostering community connections and support groups. The episode concludes with upcoming DAAA events and resources for caregivers.
Guests:
DAAA Programs & Services:
Importance of Respite & Self-Care:
Male Caregivers:
Common Caregiver Struggles:
Upcoming DAAA Events & Resources:
Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA)
Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative (SRC)
Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan - Elder Law & Advocacy Center (NLS)
Kristie: Welcome back to Caregiver Conversations, where we discuss the stories, insights, and experiences that matter most to caregivers. I'm your host, Kristie King, Executive Director of the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative.
Antonia: And I'm your co-host, Antonia Harbin Lamb, Staff Attorney at the Elder Law and Advocacy Center and Program Manager of the Great Lakes Legal Mediation Division.
Today, we're excited to welcome two incredible guests, Laura Reddick and Crystal White.
Kristie: This is going to be another exciting conversation because we know these ladies very well from all the work we do together. Laura has been with the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) for almost three years, playing a vital role in expanding the caregiver support program.
Her dedication is evident in the success stories of many caregivers in crisis. Laura was recently awarded the Collaboration Achievement Award alongside her colleagues. Congratulations, Laura!
Antonia: Yes! And Crystal joined DAAA in 2018 as a Community Resource Navigator before becoming the Caregiver Support Coordinator in 2019.
She has been instrumental in building a new caregiver support program for the agency, drawing on her 29 years of experience connecting caregivers and seniors to essential resources. That’s quite an accomplishment!
Kristie: Welcome to the show, Laura and Crystal! This is going to be a great conversation. Both Antonia and I work with you closely, so we’re excited to have you here.
Laura: Thank you for having us!
Crystal: Thanks so much!
Laura: We're glad to be here—among friends. Is it okay if I say, "What up, doe?"
Kristie: We’ll take it!
Antonia: Yes!
Laura: We're still in the 313, so it’s fitting.
Antonia: Let’s start with an overview of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Laura, could you share with our listeners what DAAA does and how it supports caregivers and seniors in the community?
Crystal: Absolutely! I’m excited to share that information.
DAAA began in 1984, meaning we’ve been serving the community for 44 years. We support caregivers and kinship providers through caregiver education training, events, and classes. Just yesterday, we hosted an Aging Mastery Program session focused on seniors.
There are 17 service options available to the community, including:
We serve nine cities, including Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, and the five Grosse Pointes.
Kristie: That’s a lot of valuable information! Crystal, can you elaborate on some of the specific programs and services that DAAA offers?
You mentioned Aging Mastery, Kinship Circle, and Home-Based Primary Care, which is new. Could you talk about these programs and what they provide?
Laura: Sure! Through our Long-Term Care Services Department, we offer:
Most of these services are directed at care recipients—the elderly or those with disabilities who need assistance. However, with the establishment of the Caregiver Support Program, now in its fourth year, we’ve been able to expand our focus to also support caregivers.
Caregivers are often responsible for individuals who are already receiving services through our long-term care programs. Now, we can address both the care recipient’s and the caregiver’s needs—ensuring holistic support.
We also collaborate across departments. For example, we work with:
It’s all about breaking down internal silos to ensure comprehensive support.
Kristie: That’s an excellent point! Often, organizations focus on external partnerships but neglect internal collaboration. It’s great to hear that DAAA is fostering connectivity within its departments to ensure caregivers and seniors receive the best possible support.
Kristie: One critical topic that comes up frequently is respite care.
Laura, could you explain what respite care is and why it’s so important for caregivers?
Crystal: Respite care is vital because statistics show that over 30% of caregivers experience burnout or even pass away before the person they are caring for.
Caregivers often neglect themselves while prioritizing their loved ones. Respite care provides them with much-needed breaks—whether that means taking a walk, reading a book, or simply having uninterrupted time to rest.
At DAAA, we encourage caregivers to seek support early rather than waiting until they’re in crisis.
Antonia: That’s a powerful message—caregivers must prioritize their own well-being.
Crystal, what respite care resources are available in the community?
Laura: Along with DAAA’s programs, we collaborate with other organizations, such as:
We also have quarterly meetings with our Caregiver Support Coalition, a network of organizations dedicated to caregiver support. This coalition provides an extensive web of resources for caregivers, allowing us to extend our reach and offer well-rounded support.
Kristie: I want to touch on caregiver stress and burnout.
Laura, could you share common signs of caregiver stress and how they impact caregivers?
Crystal: Many caregivers don’t realize they’re experiencing burnout until they reach a breaking point. Some common signs include:
When we conduct T-Care Assessments, we can identify caregivers who are struggling and connect them with resources such as respite grants from:
We encourage caregivers to use the resources we provide—because they work!
Antonia: That’s an important takeaway. Caregivers need to recognize burnout signs and take action early.
Kristie: Often, when we think of caregivers, we assume they’re women. But male caregivers play a huge role as well.
Laura, can you talk about some of the unique challenges male caregivers face?
Laura: Absolutely! The 2020 AARP Report stated that 39% of caregivers are men—and that number is expected to increase.
Male caregivers often struggle with:
To address this, we launched Male Caregiver Events where men can:
These events have had a significant impact in connecting male caregivers and reducing their sense of isolation.
Kristie: Laura and Crystal, this has been an amazing conversation.
Before we wrap up, where can listeners find more information about DAAA’s caregiver support services?
Crystal: They can visit www.DetroitSeniorSolution.org or call (313) 446-4444 and ask for the Caregiver Support Team.
Antonia: Thank you both for joining us today!
Kristie: And thank you to our listeners! Be sure to subscribe and share this episode. Until next time—take care and keep caring.