New York & Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborative

Caregiving can be stressful. On this #WorldMentalHealthDay, let’s take a moment to prioritize mental well-being. We've compiled a list of great sources for caregiver wellbeing: https://lnkd.in/gSQiNnMM

The Detroit News is hiring a data reporter and college interns for summer 2025. See details below: https://lnkd.in/e2r-DPnJ

Happy #AgeismAwarenessDay ! Did you know you could unintentionally be using ageist language, which is wording that depicts older adults in offensive, dismissive, unflattering, or incorrect ways? These might be obviously negative and insulting terms such as “frail” or “over the hill.” But, notably, ageist language also can include terms such as “elderly” and even descriptions that seem positive such as “spry for her age.” Avoiding ageist terminology takes a bit of effort so we've written a caregiving covering language guide to help writers and others. Check out the link is below: https://lnkd.in/gAkpZNCF

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer yesterday signed into law a bill that will restore home care workers’ right to join a union. Home help caregivers will have the ability to collectively bargain just as workers in all other sectors have. As The Detroit News previously reported, opponents had expressed concerns, with AARP Michigan saying questions remained how the system would work. Others argued that the legislation's main purpose was to allow the Service Employees International Union to absorb more dues-paying members. Read that story here: https://lnkd.in/dPaHpDNT

Vice President Kamala Harris yesterday outlined a proposal to allow Medicare to expand its coverage of home health care for older Americans. Harris said she wants to take the burden off members of the “sandwich generation,” who are simultaneously taking care of their kids and aging parents. She said the cost of this additional paid care could be paid for with the money the government will save by negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to reduce what Medicare pays for prescription drugs. The Conversation US. asked Jane Tavares, Ph.D.  and Marc Cohen, scholars of long-term care, to assess what’s known so far about the plan.

It was an honor to write this story on the VA Medical Foster Home program — a unique alternative to long-term care for veterans across the U.S. for New York & Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborative. Special thanks to Urban Aging News for featuring the story in your latest issue!

Over the past few days, we’ve been sharing the research we analyzed on unpaid caregivers across the country. In Michigan, we found that approximately 1 in 5 adults are caregivers, and many are unpaid. Twenty-three percent of Michigan caregivers provide 40+ hours of care per week. We need accessible, quality care programs because care impacts us all and we cannot wait. With Michigan’s aging population set to sky-rocket in the coming years, we must ensure we all have the care we need now! Read our Michigan Care Voter Guide to help ensure you’re ready to advocate for care with your elected leaders: https://lnkd.in/eN7EEKFv #WeCareWeVote Thanks to National Women's Law Center and the entire #CareCantWaitCoalition for their support during this research process.

The Michigan House signed off on a pair of bills that would make home caregivers employees of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for the sole purpose of being represented by a labor organization. The legislation also would create a Home Help Caregiver Council. Some business groups expressed concerns, arguing that the bills are a resurrection of old policies chiefly benefitting unions, not caregivers. https://lnkd.in/g9hzFmAF

I recently took my first autonomous vehicle ride to report on the new Accessibili-D shuttle service for Detroit residents over age 62 or those with disabilities. Since launching this summer, over 150 riders have used the free self-driving service to get to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores and recreational areas like the Detroit Riverfront. Running until July 2025, the pilot is the first of its kind in the country to look at how autonomous vehicles can offer transportation solutions for older adults and those with disabilities. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gR4v2Bsd

Last call for a free, online, 90-minute climate solutions journalism 101 training session. Registration information is here https://lnkd.in/g4VguQpt Here are available dates/times (you can choose either) Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 10:30a.m.-12noon PT Thursday, Oct. 10 from 2-3:30p.m. PT I am a certified solutions journalism trainer with the Solutions Journalism Network, and I've got a couple of climate solutions journalism 101 trainings open to schedule. It's 90 minutes and free to attendees, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. #freejournalismtraining #journalismtraining #solutionsjournalism #climatereporter #climatejournalism #climateweek #NYC