Caregiving experiences and strategies to combat social isolation during COVID-19
Tai Chi for Older Adults demonstration
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Kathy Good, Family Caregivers Center of Mercy
Abby Weirather, Family Caregivers Center of Mercy
Bryan Bruner, Heritage Area Agency on Aging
Kathy Good, MSW, was the first social worker at what is now the Linn County Child Development Center and started the School Social Work Program for the Grant Wood Area Education Agency. She has been a mental health counselor in private practice, a social work educator at Kirkwood Community College and Mount Mercy University, and has taught in the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa.
Ms. Good’s educational and professional background lend to her unique ability to lead efforts as the Director of the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy, which she does as a volunteer. But, her personal journey as a family caregiver adds a profound qualification to lead this innovative center that opened its doors to serve the community in 2015, the same year her husband – who had lived with Alzheimer’s disease for 12 years and to whom she provided care – sadly passed away.
Mrs. Good has served on the boards of, and provided consultation to, many nonprofit human service agencies throughout Iowa, including the Alzheimer’s Association. She has presented hundreds of informational sessions on caregiving.
Abby Weirather became the Manager of the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy in November 2018. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Luther College and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa. Abby has had over 10 years of direct care experience ranging from home health, hospice and long term care as well as coordinating volunteers. Abby experienced caregiving first hand while providing homemaking, bathing assistance and respite care for her grandmother who lived with dementia. Abby is a Marion/Cedar Rapids native and is pleased to be serving a community and population she loves. In her spare time, Abby enjoys being outdoors, travelling, cooking, spending time with her family and learning new things!
Three Eastern Iowa caregivers will join Kathy and Abby to share their first-hand experiences of caregiving during COVID-19. Thank you to Susie Winkowski, Rick Dusil and Mary Humphrey for sharing their caregiving stories with the audience!
