Family Caregiver Support

06/01/2026

The Splash Pads are Open!!

See original post for locations!

🎉Splashpads are set to open May 26 for the season.
✨Season: May through mid October (Weather Permitting)
⏰Hours of Operation: Daily from 9:30AM–8PM
💸Fee: FREE
📍Locations:
McGraw Park – 3202 Cornelius Dr.
Miller Park – 1020 S. Morris Ave.
O’Neil Park – 1515 W. Chestnut St.
Tipton Park – 2201 Stone Mountain Blvd.

05/08/2026

Community members 55 and older who are not yet taking advantage of an ARC membership, they want to hear from you! Take the Normal Township ARC Activity & Recreation Center Community Member Survey to share your thoughts on what matters most to you when considering 55+ recreation and let them know how they can best serve you. Survey will be 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝐬𝐭 - 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡. Paper copies of the survey are available at ARC for those who would rather fill one out offline. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/.../ARCCommunitySurvey
They look forward to learning how they can continue to grow to meet the needs of more older adults throughout McLean County and appreciate any help you can provide.

ARC 10-Year Anniversary Survey for Community Members

05/06/2026

Better Together: Making Bloomington-Normal Dementia Friendly
The Dementia Friendly Task Force for Bloomington-Normal needs your input! Take our short, anonymous survey to help us understand local needs and improve support for persons with dementia and their caregivers. Your voice will shape our future action plan.
For more information, contact Kathryn Johnson, Community Liaison, ECIAAA, [email protected] or Sara Attig, Health & Family Educator, U of I Extension, [email protected].
Survey Link: go.illinois.edu/DementiaFriendlyBN

Better Together: Making Bloomington-Normal Dementia Friendly
The Dementia Friendly Task Force for Bloomington-Normal needs your input! Take our short, anonymous survey to help us understand local needs and improve support for persons with dementia and their caregivers. Your voice will shape our future action plan.
For more information, contact Kathryn Johnson, Community Liaison, ECIAAA, [email protected] or Sara Attig, Health & Family Educator, U of I Extension, [email protected].

Survey Link: go.illinois.edu/DementiaFriendlyBN

04/13/2026

💚 April is Stress Awareness Month 💚
And let’s be honest… you know who really knows stress?
👉 CAREGIVERS. 💪✨
If you’re caring for someone you love, your stress matters too. Watch out for these signs of caregiver burnout (they can sneak up on you! 👀):
🚨 Burnout Red Flags
😴 Physical Exhaustion – Always tired, sleep changes, skipping your own health needs
🎭 Emotional Rollercoaster – Irritable, overwhelmed, or feeling down
🏝️ Isolation – Pulling away from friends or activities you once loved
🧠 Brain Fog – Trouble focusing or making simple decisions
💡 Now for the good stuff—ways to lower stress and refill your cup:
✅ Set Boundaries – It is more than okay to say no and put your needs on the list
🤝 Seek Support – Lean on family, friends, or caregiver support groups (like Caregiver Action Network!)
🙋‍♀️ Accept Help – If someone offers, say YES. Respite care = recharge time
🌿 Practice Self-Care – Even 10–15 minutes a day counts! Walk, breathe, read—no guilt allowed
📅 Get Organized – Apps and calendars can help reduce last-minute chaos
💬 Friendly reminder: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of you makes you a better caregiver—not a selfish one. 💖
Drop a 💚 if you’re a caregiver, or tag someone who deserves a little reminder today.
📲If you need a little extra support or ideas on how to bust through the stress, reach out to our Family Caregiver Advisor who is here to listen and offer support and resources! (309) 661-6400

04/07/2026

Are you at the point in life where you're thinking about Wills & Living Trusts? No better time than the present to get those ducks in a row! 🦆🦆🦆🦆 Join the The Institute for Financial Education
in this educational session! It provides a general overview of how Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney function, along with common estate-planning concepts individuals and families may consider when organizing their personal and financial affairs.
Register: https://www.yoursvp.com/KEYJUP
Tue / Apr 14
Bloomington Public Library
205 E Olive St
Bloomington, IL 61701
Wed / Apr 15
Activity & Recreation Center (ARC)
600 E Willow St
Normal, IL 61761
10:00 AM
Wed / Apr 15
Normal Public Library (Community Room)
206 W College Ave
Normal, IL 61761
1:30 PM

03/25/2026

OSF Caregiver Support tonight at OSF Medical group 1701 E. College Ave Bloomington in the lower level conference room! Or join us via zoom! See you at 5:30!
Topic: Caretaker's Path Support Group
Time: Mar 25, 2026 05:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95116246535
Meeting ID: 951 1624 6535
One tap mobile: 13126266799

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

03/11/2026

🫀 Free Cholesterol Education Seminar!
Your health is your greatest asset — come learn how to protect it.
Join Chestnut Health Systems for a free, easy‑to-understand session that breaks down what cholesterol really means for your heart, your energy, and your future.
👉 Simple tips, real answers, no cost.
Register via the flyer below!
Bring a friend and invest an hour in your health! 💛

03/10/2026

Did you know dementia affects women differently than men? And it’s important to understand why.
Around two-thirds of people living with dementia are women, and women make up the majority of unpaid carers supporting loved ones. Dementia is also the leading cause of death for women in the UK.
Biological and social factors contribute to this difference. Women’s longer life expectancy plays a role, but so do hormones, genetics, reproductive history, and decades of inequality in education, work, and healthcare - all of which can influence dementia risk.
We’re seeing progress. Conversations are shifting: dementia is no longer seen as an inevitable part of ageing, and research is helping us understand how to prevent, diagnose, and treat it earlier. Advances like blood test diagnostics and a stronger focus on dementia care and support mean a future where women are better protected is within reach.
We are inspired every day by the researchers, carers, and women living with dementia who are driving change - and we are hopeful that together, we can make a real difference.
💙

02/25/2026

We have our ZOOM ONLY Caregiver Support Group Meeting tonight at 5:30p! We don't want caregivers to be out in the dark and cold after the meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95116246535

Meeting ID: 951 1624 6535

One tap mobile: 13126266799

02/05/2026

Today is a win for family caregivers. In a fiscal and political climate where many critical programs are facing cuts or elimination; Congress chose to protect and strengthen core family caregiver supports. While modest, these investments reflect the growing understanding that our nation’s 63+ million family caregivers are essential to keeping American families healthy and at home.
Family caregivers contribute an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor, supporting loved ones with chronic conditions and disabilities. Strengthening federal caregiver programs is a sound economic investment; allowing families to stay in their homes and communities, avoiding the high cost of institutional care.
The National Alliance for Caregiving is grateful to their champions in Congress — including House Appropriations Chair Congressman Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rep. Rosa DeLauro, as well as Senate Appropriations Chair U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Vice Chair U.S. Senator Patty Murray — who recognize the indispensable contributions of family caregivers. They look forward to working with them in the coming year to build on this momentum.

Today is a win for family caregivers. In a fiscal and political climate where many critical programs are facing cuts or elimination; Congress chose to protect and strengthen core family caregiver supports. While modest, these investments reflect the growing understanding that our nation’s 63+ million family caregivers are essential to keeping American families healthy and at home.

Family caregivers contribute an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor, supporting loved ones with chronic conditions and disabilities. Strengthening federal caregiver programs is a sound economic investment; allowing families to stay in their homes and communities, avoiding the high cost of institutional care.

The National Alliance for Caregiving is grateful to our champions in Congress — including House Appropriations Chair Congressman Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rep. Rosa DeLauro, as well as Senate Appropriations Chair U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Vice Chair U.S. Senator Patty Murray — who recognize the indispensable contributions of family caregivers. We look forward to working with them in the coming year to build on this momentum.