Iowa CareGivers

09/09/2026

Registration is now open for Iowa CareGivers’ September 21, 2026, self-care retreat in partnership with Des Moines Area Community College. This self-care retreat is designed to address burnout among certified nursing assistants, home care aides, personal care aides, patient care technicians, direct support professionals, hospice or medication aides, nurses, and family caregivers.

The keynote speaker is Stephen Fredlund, best-selling author of “Do the Unright Thing: Memoir of a People Pleaser” and a two-time TEDx speaker.

September 21, 2026
8:00 A.M. – 3:15 P.M.
Location: Des Moines Area Community College
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023

For more information & to register, visit: https://www.iowacaregivers.org/events

09/07/2026

A Labor Day Message to The Everyday Heroes Who Provide Care and Support to So Many Iowans of All Ages and Abilities

Join Iowa CareGivers this Labor Day as we honor the 45-60,000 certified nursing assistants, home care aides, personal care aides, direct support professionals, hospice and hospital aides, and other direct care workers. They are one of the largest and most essential segments of Iowa’s workforce. If you know a direct care worker take time to thank them for their selfless acts of caring!

08/31/2026

Iowa CareGivers August 2026 Hub Newsletter

Every Day Courage in Caring Self-Care Retreat for Direct Care Workers and Family Caregivers. Register today!!

08/23/2026

Direct Care Workers Visited the Capitol in 2026, Many for the First Time!

Learn more about how to get involved:

Get Involved Advocating for change takes people. But change can’t occur without ACTION!It takes people who are willing to get involved, people who are willing to share personal responsibility, people who share their voices, and people who take action to create the changes that are needed.  And th...

08/23/2026

Please Donate to Expand the Mouth Care Matters Program

Aspiration Pneumonia, Caused By Bacteria in the Mouth, is a Leading Cause of Death Among Nursing Home Residents.

Learn more:https://www.iowacaregivers.org/s/Caring-Community-Appeal_Aug_2026_v5.pdf

08/12/2026

FEELING BURNED OUT? POOPED? NEED A BREAK?
Registration is now open!!

Every Day Courage in Caring – A Self-Care Retreat for Those in Direct Care and Family Caregivers! Hope to See You on September 21.

View the full agenda: https://www.iowacaregivers.org/events

08/06/2026

Iowa nursing home inspections improve, but staffing is low.
State officials challenge auditor's conclusions.

“The drivers are the same drivers that have existed for more than three decades … low wages, lack of affordable health care coverage, lack of respect for their chosen profession, and the lack of infrastructure to ensure their training is portable,”
- Di Findley

Click below to read the full article from the Gazette:
https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/auditor-report-says-iowa-nursing-home-inspections-improved/article_afa151de-db6e-4ade-b511-fa13918013b0.html

Author: Tom Barton, Gazette Des Moines Bureau

Auditor: Iowa fixed nursing home inspection backlog. The bigger challenge now is finding enough workers.

06/02/2026

The Inspiration Behind Iowa CareGivers? Mom.

Thirty-four years ago this month, I started Iowa CareGivers out of my basement.

As I now, reluctantly contemplate retirement in the next two years, I am frequently asked what inspired me. The short answer is my mom, Shirley. She was born during the 1918 pandemic and died at the age of 102 during the COVID pandemic.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3RJga4q

05/25/2026

05/13/2026

Wear Green This Thursday! 💚 👕

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Wear Green Day on May 14th!🗣️📅

Wear your favorite green clothes on May 14th with Iowans across the state to show your support for and make a statement against mental illness stigma in your workplace, school, and community!

Don't forget to take a picture and tag us on social media with so we can see the impact across Iowa!💚