
		Friends in Action* is a non-profit, collaborative organization dedicated to sustaining quality of life, dignity, and independence for older persons and their families through education and volunteerism.

Friends in Action is a program of the non-profit Mountain States Group, Inc.
www.mtnstatesgroup.org

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Calling All Family Caregivers: An Event Just for You!

2011 Family Caregiver Conference a Success!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Family Caregiver Conference on October 15. We enjoyed meeting over 265 family caregivers and sharing information and resources to help them THRIVE while successfully managing their caregiving challenges.

If you missed the Conference, you can watch Gary Edward Barg's keynote presentation at KTVB's website by click here. Many thanks to KTVB for taping and broadcasting Gary's presentation.

The Conference was made possible by the generous support of many wonderful partners. Many thanks to Norco for being our Presenting Sponsor; to Sage Community Resources for their Major Sponsorship; to Kindred Healthcare, Regence BlueShield, and KTVB for being Event Sponsors; and to AARP, Hearts for Hospice and Home Health, and St. Luke's Regional Medical Center for being our Resource Expo sponsors. Each of these partners is committed to excellence and providing meaningful services to families providing care. Thank you for your support!

Plans are underway for the 2012 Family Caregiver Conference, so stay tuned for updates.

Welcome to Friends in Action!

Friends in Action is a volunteer-based organization that provides compassionate, friend-to-friend assistance to frail elders and their families. Our volunteers provide a safety net to older persons living alone and without help. Our volunteers provide relief to families who are weary from the demands of caregiving. Each elder helped is an accomplishment of hope. Friends in Action is how elder care should work.

Since 2004 we have been making a difference in the lives of seniors in the Treasure Valley. Our volunteers, partners and donors prove that by working together we can do more than we ever thought possible to improve the lives of our valued neighbors.

You can help us broaden our capacity to serve seniors and their families. We invite you to learn more about our services. We thrive on new and experienced volunteers and are always ready to welcome you as a volunteer. Become a service partner. Become a donor. Help us promote participation, independence and dignity for all of our older neighbors. We welcome you to Friends in Action.

Quotes from Recent Friends in Action Volunteers

"In my quiet meditation time this morning, high on my list of gratitude was the wonderful time I had driving a client with total hearing loss Monday afternoon. Spending 3 hours in silence with her (shopping stops all over town), all the while sharing trust and a new friendship based on the language of love, was a grace-filled experience for me. Thank you for providing me this opportunity. We, the volunteers, are the lucky ones in FIA's work."
Danell B.

"How humbling the experience has been to volunteer thinking my Senior needed me when in fact it was, "me" that needed her all along…life is delicious and always a wonder! Thanks FIA for changing "2" lives."
J. Henry

JOIN OUR WORKSHOPS!

Living Well in Idaho

Become an ACTIVE manager of your chronic illness.

Many people find it challenging to lead an active and fulfilling life when they have a chronic health problem. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, asthma, lung disease, arthritis and other chronic conditions can affect not only overall health but can have serious impact on quality of life and emotions. However, there are proven tools to help you manage long term health problems; cope with fear, frustration, fatigue and anger; and lead a vibrant life.

Living Well in Idaho is a workshop for people with chronic health problems and their family members. The Living Well program is proven at building the confidence and motivation of participants to manage their chronic disease(s) and take better care of themselves. It works!

The workshop consists of six consecutive classes held once per week.

Download Schedule (pdf)

Powerful Tools for Caregivers: A Class for Family Caregivers

Are you helping a parent, spouse, friend, someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country?

This class will give YOU, the family caregiver, tools to: reduce stress, take care of yourself, communicate effectively with others, reduce guilt, anger and depression, make tough decisions, set goals and problem solve.

Classes meet once per week for six weeks.

Download Schedule (pdf)

Follow us on our BLOG SAVE THE DATE: 2012 THE PROM Mark your calendar for a fantastic evening of dancing, music and fun during our annual fundraiser, The Prom! Saturday, April 7, 2012 The Knitting Factory Boise Featuring High Street Band Watch this 1-minute video and learn why we help family caregivers. Find Volunteering Opportunities on
ABC World News series "Families on the Brink: What to do About Mom and Dad?" is a new series focusing on the complex issues surrounding elder care. The panel discussions are available in print or video format, and address topics including elder drivers, medications and the stress of caregiving. Other topics discussed were death and illness. Having the Conversation, Nursing Homes and Other Options, and Elderly Driving: A Sign of Independence. To watch, click here. The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's. An in-depth look at women and Alzheimer's by Maria Shriver. To watch, click here.
How Can We Help Our Nation's Caregivers? Article on Parade Magazine
Friends in Action Volunteers highlighted in local newsletter! (pdf format)
What kinds of connections do FIA volunteers make?
Growing Friends