In the season of gratitude, many are thankful for their family caregivers, also referred to as care partners or carers, who provide unpaid care for loved ones of any age who are ill, have disabilities, or whose parents are no longer able to fill that role. According to AARP and the National Council on Aging, in 2025, there were 63 million adult family caregivers in the United States. This number increased by almost 50% from 2015.
November was the 25th national family caregiver month. To support family caregivers in Idaho, the Idaho Caregiver Alliance, a coalition of individuals and organizations focused on expanding opportunities for respite and other caregiver support across the lifespan, was created over ten years ago by Boise State faculty and other community organizations.
Considering that the community of family caregivers is growing, the Idaho Caregiver Alliance created the Family Caregiver Navigator program, a free, low-barrier, telephonically delivered service that provides individualized care plans and resource referral services for Idaho caregivers. To connect with a navigator or refer a family caregiver, call (208) 426-5899, email info@caregivernavigator.org or visit caregivernavigator.org/.
The Idaho Caregiver Alliance lives in the School of Public and Population Health. It leverages the skills and talents of staff and students, and other resources available through Boise State to expand support for family caregivers. Here are just a few examples of the value of this dynamic collaboration.
Research on aging and caregiving
Alexis Gessler, a fourth year undergraduate public health and Spanish major and an accelerated Master of Public Health student, is a research assistant working on the evaluation of the Fit and Fall Proof program. This program is a statewide exercise-based fall prevention program for older adults that combats loneliness and promotes exercise. Gessler’s hard work and dedication in evaluating this program has shown its benefits to participants and positive impact. Learn more about the Fit and Fall Proof program.
Shannon Collins, Master of Social Work student, partners with the alliance and the Idaho Commission on Aging to advance statewide initiatives that strengthen Idaho’s direct care and caregiving workforce. She is engaging in data analysis to inform system improvements, supporting policy and program development, and contributing to collaborative efforts that enhance resources for caregivers and older adults across the state. Learn more about the Idaho Commission on Aging.
Alumni supporting caregivers
Adrian Rodriguez, Master of Public Health and School of Public and Population Health alum, led efforts to engage with members of the Spanish speaking community through the Idaho Caregiver Alliance Hispanic Advisory Group and has continued delivering in-person events in Spanish for family caregivers. Learn more about Rodriguez’s work in Idaho. On a national level, Rodriguez partnered with the Community Catalyst organization to enhance advocacy efforts among members of the Spanish speaking community.
Jennifer Nguyen, Master of Public Health and School of Public and Population Health alum, coordinated the statewide Idaho Caregiver Alliance Annual Caregiver Conference for the second time. This event, attended by over 200 caregivers, has provided Nguyen with many opportunities to apply her knowledge to community-based settings and broaden her professional network. Learn more about the Idaho Caregivers Alliance Annual Caregiver Conference.
Get involved
Jason Resendez, president and CEO of the National Alliance For Caregiving, recognizes that “every day, in every community, people are stepping into roles they never expected…without fanfare, often without pay, and too often without the support they deserve.” He will be the keynote speaker for Idaho Caregiver Alliance’s 15th Annual Caregiver Conference on Feb. 21. Learn more about the Idaho Caregiver Alliance and the upcoming conference.
Join the Idaho Caregiver Alliance to celebrate and increase awareness of the needs of family caregivers in Idaho. To help the alliance expand and continue to provide opportunities for student learning and university engagement, please donate online.