Hello KIRC fam~

Just when I am on the verge of throwing in the towel on sharing caregiving information, wondering ‘Is anyone reading? Is anyone listening? Does anyone care?…’ something presents itself that reminds me of how many people DO need information. Seriously - is ANYONE out there picking up what this newsletter puts down?

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YOU’RE INVITED to join me - Julia Yarbough & Keeping It REAL Caregiving, as I will be the guest for the upcoming ASharpe Outlook podcast, with host, Angela Sharpe.

I’m honored for the opportunity to share my lived-experience in caregiving, advocacy, and journalism-based storytelling with an additional audience of listeners.

Caregivers Need Care Too

Event Details:

When: Monday, August 3, 2026
Time: 8AM Pacific | 9AM Mountain | 10am Central | 11AM Eastern
Where: LIVE - ONLINE

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE

Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, demanding, and life-changing. But many people take on the responsibilities of caregiving without recognizing themselves as caregivers—or knowing where to find help.

On this episode I will be talking with AARP Washington state volunteer, former caregiver, former broadcast journalist, and creator of Keeping It REAL Caregiving, Julia Yarbough.

She will share lessons from her personal caregiving journey while explaining the many roles caregivers perform, the challenges they face, and some of the resources that can support them.

DON’T MISS THIS ONE!
When: Monday, August 3, 2026
Time: 8AM Pacific | 9AM Mountain | 10am Central | 11AM Eastern
Where: LIVE - ONLINE

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE

Ironically, for those of you who are caregivers and may not have seen this tidbit of national news … this policy move is a good reminder to pay close attention to your decisions at the ballot box this season.

If you are aging, care for someone aging, need any kind of assistance, and/or take medications, then POLICY OVER PARTY (for both sides of the aisle) is more important than ever.

Medicare Drug Subsidy Program Ending

Until next time~
Julia

SHARED ARTICLE FROM THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

National parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other public lands in the United States are national treasures, and the backbone of conservation and the outdoor recreation economy. Any large-scale sell-off of these critical landscapes would be devastating and impact future generations.

We have seen several proposals over the past year that would pave the way for the federal government to eliminate or sell our public lands and parks to the highest bidder, opening the door to development. These measures have been defeated but we must keep up the pressure!

Send your message to Congress now and tell your elected leaders that you oppose selling off federally owned public conservation lands for non-conservation uses. Speak up to keep these public lands in public hands.

SEND YOUR LETTER TO CONGRESS

From the desk of Caring Across Communities

Caring Across Communities/Keeping It REAL Caregiving is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Some Favorite + Memorable Moments Visiting Public Lands

1. Camping at Big Bend National Park along the Rio Grande

2. Searching for Alligator Eggs within Everglades National Park

3. Hiking in Arches National Park

4. Exploring Lava Beds National Monument

5. Wonderment at the colors with Petrified Forest National Park

   

6. Experiencing iconic views in Yosemite National Park

   

7. Taking in scenic views at Acadia National Park

   

8. Kayaking and hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park

These are just a few, because there are soooo many I can’t include them all.

Care to share what YOUR favorite public land locations, moments, memories are?

What actions, if any, are you taking or willing to take to protect, preserve, and maintain our public lands? Curious to hear from others on these topics…

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Until next time~
Julia

Hey KIRC fam and beyond…

THANK YOU for trying to join today’s live event - and my sincere apologies for not pulling it off. I am bummed!

So… I tried doing this thing - you know, getting fancy and hosting a Substack live on StreamYard and porting it over to Substack. It wouldn’t connect - DANG! But - we STILL had a great show. (Help! Who else is doing this and feel free to shoot me a note on the steps to make sure it connects!)

THANK YOU to - The AI Optimist here on Substack, for his expertise, experience, willingness to share knowledge, AND an interesting conversation. We covered a lot, focusing on the many intersections created by an aging society, advances in technology, the incorporation of AI, and the roles robots already play in our lives, as well as what might come next.

The good news? OF COURSE I recorded everything!

Check it out and tell me what you think? (If I can get this Streamyard>>Substack connection mastered, is this a type of discussion and format you would consider in the future?)

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Technological advancements. AI. Robots. Human oversight (A must)…

Love it, fear it, hate it, or embrace it - this conversation is not about right or wrong. My humble opinion is that it is better to learn as much as possible about the technology changing our lives - and then identify aspects of it which can be ‘used for good.’

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this… so please share and comment.

I’ll close with two questions I want you to ponder:

• Who is going to take care of you when you are older? (Especially if you don’t have children)

• Would you consider a robot as a caregiving companion (Assuming pricing makes this an affordable option)

• Would you be willing to contribute your lived-experiences as a caregiver to engineers creating the programming social-companion and health-focused robots?

Until next time~
Julia

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Hello KIRC fam~

If you are a family caregiver, you may sometimes feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, right? Better yet, the physical weight - literally - of the individual you are caring for. That weight is on your arms, shoulders, back, knees, as well as the more nuanced ‘weight’ that falls on your heart.

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At the time of my mother’s death, she was but a frail 89 pounds. Light as a feather - pretty much skin pulled over a little skeleton. She was still mentally sharp as a tack, but her aged body was - for lack of a better word - DONE.

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Ironically, it was my mother’s frailty and my physical strength (from years of lifting weights and working out) that allowed me to care for her as long as I did. I had the physical ability to lift her from her bed, hold her while transferring, provide support for showering and toileting, and sadly - even collecting her from the floor the one or two times she somehow slipped out of her recliner chair. She called for help sounding defeated. Not physically hurt, but rather, emotionally depleted as she sat crumpled on the floor, unable to get up on her own. Those were tough moments.

It was traumatic for my mother. Traumatic for me. It was traumatic letting her go. I miss her everyday. There are moments even now - five years on, that I feel as if I’m having a P.T.S.D. attack. Or I’ll have a nightmare in which I’ve left her at an appointment - stranded - forgetting to pick her up.

Caring for miss Nellie took a lot out of me. I wanted to give my mother the absolute best that I could - in all ways - safe housing, healthy food, meaningful interactions, being shown respect, maintaining good grooming, and the ability to KNOW that the person taking care of her LOVED her and had her best interest at heart at all times. So yeah, it was exhausting, but I have ZERO regrets for giving it my all, and that brings solace.

Who Will Care for Me?

None of us is getting any younger. That thought ripples through my head almost daily. Unlike Miss Nellie, who had me to care for her, I don’t have children. Many of you don’t either. I’m increasingly wondering, who will care for me? I don’t have a daughter who will be willing to be the advocate, the pharmacist, the emotional support mechanism, and the strong-bodied individual to physically help me. How many of you are in this same situation? If this is you, then I hope you’ll join me for the next Keeping It REAL Caregiving Substack Live event!

Eldercare with Robots? Filling the Human Gap

I’d like to invite you to join me, and fellow Substacker Declan Dunn (The AI Optimist) for what will be an interesting, lively, and thought-provoking SUBSTACK LIVE - Eldercare with Robots? Filling the Human Gap

When: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 12pm Pacific | 1PM Mountain | 2pm Central | 3PM Eastern
Where: Substack Live

*Note - I’ll be attempting my first stab at hosting our session on Streamyard and sending it here to Substack with the goal of sharing some video clips - crossing fingers!

Eldercare with Robtots?

Who is Declan Dunn and how/why is KIRC teaming up for this event?

Declan Dunn hosts The AI Optimist, where across 100+ episodes he looks for the honest version of AI. Forget hype and the doom, how do you - real people - actually use it, or not, and why?

His work keeps circling the question: what technology holds for us, and what it can only imitate. Memory. Presence. The feeling of being known, recognized.

Which makes a robot in the room less a question about robots than about us. What we’d gladly hand off, and what we’d lose if we did.

Our back-story

You might be wondering - what does Keeping It REAL Caregiving have to do with the AI revolution we are experiencing right now and The AI Optimist.

I met Declan several years ago while living and working in Northern California. His work and career history is impressive. Technology, AI, communication, human interaction - and how it all intersects - this is his field of expertise. In other words - he knows his stuff!

I recently attended a conference that focused on nonprofit leadership and how various AI tools might be incorporated to assist (not take over) in achieving mission goals. It was fascinating.

So whether you love it, hate it, fear it, embrace it, or believe it is the beginning of the end for all humanity… AI and the societal and business changes it is creating are HERE. I believe it is better to learn and understand technology that is reshaping our lives and world, than to hide from it. That doesn’t mean you have to use it - but understanding how it is impacting all of us… well, I think that’s pretty darn important.

Will Robots Care for Me?

Now, I return to my burning question: Who will care for me? I can’t help but think of ALL the physical ways I helped my mother. ALL the tasks I completed. ALL the moments when if she didn’t have me … what would she have done?

As I came off the recent conference, then started reading and watching more information about the use of robots and AI, I thought to myself…

Substack Live

And there you have it. The impetus for the upcoming Substack Live! This should be a fun session and I hope you’ll join us.

Keeping It REAL Caregiving and The AI Optimist are going to touch on social and companion robots, concepts surrounding service and capacity robots, what AI companies are doing in the NOW involving human data and aging, dementia-focused robots - and all of this sprinkled with ‘lived experience’ as both I and Declan have been in the roles of family caregiving.

Eldercare with Robtots?

So again - I hope you’ll join us - me and fellow Substacker Declan Dunn (The AI Optimist) for our SUBSTACK LIVE - Eldercare with Robots? Filling the Human Gap

When: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 12pm Pacific | 1PM Mountain | 2pm Central | 3PM Eastern
Where: Substack Live

Would be great to hear from some of you before our event… what are you thinking about this topic? Take our poll and we can dive into some of these ideas.

Until next time~
Julia

It is such a pleasure working alongside fellow caregivers (Who Gets the China?) and (Caregiving, Practically Speaking) as we share insights, information, and intel for family caregivers.

Watch this session at your leisure. Skip ahead if needed. Rewind and listen again if needed. Share with a friend or family member. This content IS TO HELP YOU!

If you find anything helpful, valuable, insightful, or even something that makes you chuckle - then please consider subscribing and showing your support with a paid subscription!

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Thanks for being part of the Keeping It REAL Caregiving family!

Until next time~
Julia

Julia Yarbough - Keeping It REAL Caregiving/Communications Consultant

A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring, reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.

She created Keeping It REAL Caregiving; to produce content to educate fellow caregivers. She also publishes KeepingItREALCaregiving.substack.com newsletter, and serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy. The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow.

*For media inquiries and booking information:
info@juliayarboughmediagroup.com

Get more from Julia Yarbough in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

SUBSTACK LIVE - JOIN US!

Hello KIRC fam~

Are you ready for the next Because We Care - SUBSTACK LIVE??!!

Friends, the only answer is YES!

Staying Connected When You’re Caring From Afar

When: Monday, June 1, 2026
Time: 3PM Pacific/ 4PM Mountain/ 5PM Central/ 6PM Eastern
Where: Right here - SUBSTACK LIVE!!!

SUBSTACK LIVE - JOIN US!

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This is such an important topic that impacts thousands.

We know from recent data from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, that the number of family caregivers continues to increase - 63 million are the latest 2026 stats!

And many of the faces that match those numbers are doing so from a distance. AARP reports many are trying to tackle caregiving while living in different cities, states, even countries.

So what does that mean for you and your family, and all that goes with caregiving? Items like:

• Coordinating medical appointments and pharmacy needs

• Managing day-to-day tasks and helping a loved one with daily activities

• Overseeing finances and important paperwork

• Coping with the emotions (sometimes guilt) of what it means to care for a loved one

SUBSTACK LIVE - JOIN US!

Our Because We Care team comes at this topic with unique perspectives and lived-experiences from the caregiving journey:

Adrian - serving as primary point-person and caregiver to his mother who lives overseas.

Kirsten - serving as caregiver to her parents who live several states away.

Julia - having cared for my aging and now deceased mother, I walked the journey as the primary caregiver and needed to incorporate help (when and how I could) from siblings who did not live nearby.

If any of these scenarios sound and feel familiar to you - PLEASE join us! Be sure to share this information with others who you believe could benefit. See you tomorrow!

Subscribe now

Until next time~
Julia

Wow, what a GREAT session in the latest episode of Let’s Talk Caregiving! This is a free webinar hosted by Keeping It REAL Caregiving (me) in my volunteer role with AARP Washington state. We unpacked SOOOOO much information about Long-Term Care Insurance and had an awesome turnout for this session. THANKS to everyone who spent the afternoon with me!

What we covered

>What is LTCI?
>How does it work and what does it cover?
>How much might it costs and how to determine what you might need?
>Questions to ask a potential insurance agent and how to research products

A HUGE thank you to our special guest!!!

Vickie Frazier-Williams - MBA|Financial Services Professional | Multi-Career Leader | Wealth & Legacy Advocate

Vickie is a distinguished financial services professional with New York Life Insurance Company, where she is a multi-year member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)—the top 2% of financial professionals worldwide—and a multiple-year Executive Council member. She is passionate about helping her clients build wealth, create legacies, and secure their financial futures, with a strong focus on empowering the underserved families and communities.

Long Term Care, in particular, is a topic Vickie is putting much time and effort into as a result of her own experience with caregiving. She is keenly aware of the lack of knowledge in this area and lends her expertise to educating the universe about this much needed benefit.

For more information on Vickie’s professional services, click the button below.

You can also learn more about her lifestyle magazine which is full of wonderful information and inspiration!

VICKIE FRAZIER-WILLIAMS

Again - THANK YOU to all who made this event possible and those who joined.

Don’t have time to watch the entire session? Not to worry! I’ll post shorter clips from the webinar in the coming days - so look for those.

Plus - you can visit the AARP Washington state YouTube channel to find this and other informational sessions!

AARP Washington State YouTube

Until next time~
Julia

Julia Yarbough - Keeping It REAL Caregiving/Communications Consultant

A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring, reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.

She created Keeping It REAL Caregiving; to produce content to educate fellow caregivers. She is a public speaker, moderator, and serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy. The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow.

For media inquiries and booking information:
info@juliayarboughmediagroup.com

We’ve got another exciting event coming up and YOU ARE INVITED - There is still time to register for this important event!

Let’s Talk Caregiving - Making Sense of Long-Term Care Insurance

Years ago while I was working as a news anchor and reporter for NBC6 in South Florida, my H.R. director, without knowing it, may have helped save my life! Not literally, but… pretty darn close.

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She knew I was the primary point-person helping my mom, who was aging. During one of our ‘review your insurance choices’ sessions, she explained Long-Term Care Insurance to me. She encouraged me to purchase the plan being offered at the time through my company.

Thank Goodness I made that choice. Because years later the heavy-duty reality of caring for my mother kicked-in. It was because I had extra funds to help with mom’s care that I was able to line up additional support in my home and then later, once facility care became a reality. Folks - such care is NOT cheap, and it is NOT covered by Medicare. Nope - it is OUT OF YOUR POCKETS!!

Times have changed since then, and so have the insurance products available to consumers. What hasn’t changed, is the need for planning ahead!

• What exactly is Long-Term Care Insurance?

• How does it work and who needs it?

• Does it actually provide assistance?

• And how do you know what and/or how much to purchase?

FREE Educational Webinar

*Reminder: you DO need to create an AARP account to sign-up, so don’t delay - get registered NOW.

REGISTER NOW!

Keeping It REAL Caregiving is striving to answer some of those questions and help you make sense of it all. Join me, as I moderate an educational webinar, hosted by AARP Washington: Making Sense of Long-Term Care.

When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Time: 11 AM Pacific | 12 PM Mountain | 1 PM Central | 2 PM Eastern

Where: ONLINE - VIRTUAL - FREE

REGISTER NOW - REGISTER HERE

Expert Guest Panel

This is your chance to hear from experts in the field about Long-Term Care Insurance. If you have questions - now is the time to SIGN UP and join this conversation!

You’ll learn from

Vickie Frazier-Williams - MBA|Financial Services Professional | Multi-Career Leader | Wealth & Legacy Advocate

She brings YEARS of experience and knowledge to the conversation - I am honored to have her as our guest!

Vickie Frazier-Williams is a dynamic leader whose career spans three successful chapters—broadcast journalism, education, and financial services. A South Florida native, Vickie spent 20 years as a television reporter, primarily at Local 10 Eyewitness News in Miami, where she became a trusted voice in the community.

Today, Vickie is a distinguished financial services professional with New York Life Insurance Company, where she is a multi-year member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)—the top 2% of financial professionals worldwide—and a multiple-year Executive Council member. She is passionate about helping her clients build wealth, create legacies, and secure their financial futures, with a strong focus on empowering the underserved families and communities.

Long Term Care, in particular, is a topic Vickie is putting much time and effort into as a result of her own experience with caregiving. She is keenly aware of the lack of knowledge in this area and lends her expertise to educating the universe about this much needed benefit.

She holds an MBA from Florida International University, a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University.

Andrea Meewes Sanchez - Executive Administrator, DSHS, with the WA Cares Fund. The program is set to get underway in just a few weeks - July, 2026. This program is the first in the nation to tackle long-term care benefits at the state level.

What is the WA Cares Fund? It is focused on providing Long-Term Care Insurance benefits to Washingtonians. A brief description from the fund’s website explains it like this:

I’m super excited about this upcoming Let’s Talk Caregiving and I’m looking forward to seeing you there - hope you will join!

*Reminder: you DO need to create an AARP account to sign-up, so don’t delay - get registered NOW.

REGISTER NOW!

Until next time~
Julia

Julia Yarbough - Keeping It REAL Caregiving/Communications Consultant
A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring, reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.

She created Keeping It REAL Caregiving; to produce content to educate fellow caregivers. She is a public speaker, moderator, and serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy. The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow.

For media inquiries and booking information:
info@juliayarboughmediagroup.com

Hello KIRC/CAC fam!

In an effort to expand on the Keeping It REAL Caregiving concept of CARING for one another - as promised - an entry to for the Caring Across Communities, Inc. portfolio.

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Quite often, these nuggets will be focused on the intersection of the environment: the need for clean air, clean water, public lands that remain ‘public’ and free of development and/or degradation, and protecting and conserving eco-systems for fellow species.

How can we be great if we fail to CARE for the very items that sustain our world?

If you LOVE the great outdoors and LOVE our National Parks, then you might also LOVE this offering from the Sierra Club — brilliant!

I’m sharing this information direct from the source:

National Parks Pass Cover

Show your Sierra Club support as you explore our National Parks

These National Parks Pass covers let you show your support for the unique landscapes and irreplaceable wildlife you love.

Just download our set of three designs and follow our easy instructions to fold and slip on over your parks pass.

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

Thanks Sierra Club for this great idea!
For more information on the work of the Sierra Club and how you can get involved:

The Sierra Club

Thanks for the continued support!

Subscribe now

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Leave a comment

Until next time~
Julia

Today’s post is a FORWARED AND SHARED article, researched and written by health journalist Liz Seegert. She is a respected and trusted voice in the health and aging field. Thank you to Liz and the Association of Health Care Journalists for consistent and continued in-depth reporting on issues impacting all of us!

I encourage you to read this article and share with others.

Thanks for your continued support of Keeping It REAL Caregiving!

Several new blood-based tests can help physicians detect Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms become debilitating, but because they’re considered screening tests, they’re not covered by Medicare.

This leaves millions of Americans undiagnosed or forced to wait until more serious symptoms appear. That means less time for early interventions, lifestyle and diet changes, or for anti-amyloid drugs to act more effectively.

Bipartisan legislation introduced in both chambers of Congress aims to change that.

The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act, or ASAP Act, would create a Medicare coverage pathway for FDA-approved blood biomarker screening tests, speeding up access to earlier diagnosis for the more than 7 million people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s. As many as half of those with the disease or at risk for it remain undiagnosed, according to University of Michigan researchers.

The legislation took center stage when its House sponsors, along with several clinicians, policy experts and patient advocates made their case at a March 26 policy forum hosted by The Hill and sponsored by the Alliance for Aging Research in Washington, D.C.. The bill was introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY); companion Senate legislation is sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

Why this Matters

The ASAP Act provides a good opportunity for journalists to speak with House and Senate co-sponsors about their positions on a variety of health funding, including: cuts to NIH-supported Alzheimer’s disease research; funding for programs supporting older adults; and how H.R. 1 might impact some Alzheimer’s related support services, like adult day centers, in-home care and caregiver respite.

Every year of delay has medical and economic consequences that compound the challenges of this disease, according to Rep. Tonko.

“I’m such a believer in science and evidence-based policy development. We need to commit to research,” he said at the forum. “We have a lot of investment to return to research which will help us along. Genomic discovery can assist in many areas of diseases that deal with the brain and the nervous system, because it’s less invasive, and because there is hope here to have earlier detection.”

The legislation addresses a basic gap in how Medicare covers preventive care. Under current law, Medicare can only cover preventive services specifically authorized by Congress or that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This process can delay coverage for years, according to Rep. Buchanan.

Medicare pays for biomarker blood tests only after a patient is already showing outward symptoms of cognitive decline. Screening a patient before symptoms appear is not covered.

“It is going to take an act of Congress,” said Joe Grogan, former director of the Domestic Policy Council in the first Trump administration and a non-resident senior scholar at the USC Schaefer Institute, speaking at the event. “CMS, if they just go through the normal process, will take years and years that we frankly don’t have. The ASAP Act is one of the most necessary pieces of legislation that I’ve seen.”

The blood tests

The FDA approved two blood-based biomarker tests in 2025 for people 55 and older who show signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment. One, designed for primary care settings, can rule out Alzheimer’s in those who test negative with a 90% negative predictive value. A second, used in specialty settings, can help confirm a diagnosis, reducing the need for spinal taps or PET scans that cost upward of $10,000.

Cara Leahy, D.O., director of cognitive disorders at Memorial Healthcare in Michigan, has ordered more than 400 blood biomarker tests over the past two and a half years. She describes them as transformative for her patients. “Within a week and a half, we know if we’re heading toward a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or we’re looking in other directions,” she said. “It speeds that up incredibly.”

But nearly every time she orders a test, she also helps patients fill out a financial assistance form. Neither Medicare Advantage nor commercial insurance in her area covers the cost. For her largely low-income patient population, even $50 to $100 out of pocket can be a barrier.

Wider use of blood biomarker tests could help fill in some of the geographic gaps in care. In wide stretches of the country, including the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, PET scans simply aren’t available, according to John Dwyer, president of the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation. Even in major metropolitan areas, patients routinely wait 12 to 18 months to see a neurologist. “It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

The cost of doing nothing

The economic argument for early detection is mounting on multiple fronts. Georgetown University economist Carol Roan Gresenz, Ph.D., and colleagues found that financial red flags like declining credit scores, missed payments or maxed-out credit cards can surface as early as six and a half years before an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Early detection could help patients and families protect themselves before those losses accumulate.

Globally, the cost of dementia care including foregone wages is projected to rise from $1.33 trillion in 2020 to $9.12 trillion in 2050, according to a 2024 study in npj Aging.

The U.S. spent an estimated $781 billion on dementia in 2025, according to the University of Southern California. This projection includes medical and long-term care costs, quality of life loss, caregiving hours, lost wages and more. Alzheimer’s already accounts for 20% of all Medicare spending; by 2050, analysts project it could consume one in three Medicare dollars.

“We can bankrupt the system, or respond with dignity and compassion,” Tonko said. “I would just question the people I serve with: Why is conquering Alzheimer’s not a high priority?”

The slow route from FDA approval to Medicare coverage has long frustrated patient advocates and health policy experts. Grogan, who also served in the George W. Bush administration overseeing HIV/AIDS policy, drew a historical parallel to those days.

“I don’t think this current debate is any different than we had at the dawn of the HIV epidemic, when there was a lot of pressure put on the government not to push screening for HIV because there weren’t effective treatments,” he said. “The same thing is happening now.”

A separate federal mechanism, Coverage with Evidence Development, was originally designed to speed new treatments into coverage while real-world evidence continued to build. However, it had the opposite effect, according to Grogan.

“CMS has used it to restrict access,” he said. “Some of these CED restrictions are in place for years and years. There are some that go on longer than a decade.” All of the currently approved anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer’s are subject to CED restrictions.

Funding cuts increase urgency

Even as the legislation gains traction, NIH funding for Alzheimer’s research has taken a sharp hit. The number of funded grants fell 52% between 2024 and 2025 — from 369 to 177 — according to Buchanan, who is retiring at the end of his term. He said he worries the cuts are eliminating the smaller, higher-risk grants that often produce the most original science. “That’s what we need now for Alzheimer’s,” he said.

The forum also featured a Q&A with Jay Reinstein, a former assistant city manager in Fayetteville, N.C., who received an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis at age 57 after nearly 15 months of unexplained symptoms. He struggled to keep up during intense city council meetings: deferring to staff and working later hours, while chalking it up to information overload. He even bought a new BMW that he couldn’t afford, on a whim.

“If I was able to take this blood test earlier in my life, there’s no question that I would have made major adjustments,” Rhinestein said. “Diet and exercise are huge, and maybe thinking about a less stressful type of job,” he said.

The ASAP Act has approximately 50 co-sponsors in the House to date, and bipartisan support in the Senate. More than 459 leading organizations and researchers have urged Congress to pass the bill.

Resources

• New Blood Tests Can Detect Early Signs of Alzheimer’s: Should You Get One, (The New York Times, 3/19/2026)

• Determining eligibility for anti-amyloid treatments using blood biomarkers

• (Journal of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, December 2025)

• Alzheimer’s Association Clinical Practice Guideline on the use of blood-based biomarkers in the diagnostic workup of suspected Alzheimer’s disease within specialized care settings (Journal of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, July 2025)

• Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet (National Institute on Aging)

• Understanding the new Alzheimer’s disease blood test and how it works (Mayo Clinic, November, 2025)

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What a powerful and informative overview - thank you Liz! Let’s all keep an eye on this common-sense and valuable piece of legislation.

Until next time!
Julia

Hello KIRC fam~

We’ve got another exciting event coming up and YOU ARE INVITED!

Let’s Talk Caregiving - Making Sense of Long-Term Care Insurance

Years ago while I was working as a news anchor and reporter for NBC6 in South Florida, my H.R. director, without knowing it, may have helped save my life! Not literally, but… pretty darn close.

She knew I was the primary point-person helping my mom, who was aging. During one of our ‘review your insurance choices’ sessions, she explained Long-Term Care Insurance to me. She encouraged me to purchase the plan being offered at the time through my company.

Thank Goodness I made that choice. Because years later the heavy-duty reality of caring for my mother kicked-in. It was because I had extra funds to help with mom’s care that I was able to line up additional support in my home and then later, once facility care became a reality. Folks - such care is NOT cheap, and it is NOT covered by Medicare. Nope - it is OUT OF YOUR POCKETS!!

Times have changed since then, and so have the insurance products available to consumers. What hasn’t changed, is the need for planning ahead!

• What exactly is Long-Term Care Insurance?

• How does it work and who needs it?

• Does it actually provide assistance?

• And how do you know what and/or how much to purchase?

FREE Educational Webinar

Keeping It REAL Caregiving is striving to answer some of those questions and help you make sense of it all. Join me, as I moderate an educational webinar, hosted by AARP Washington: Making Sense of Long-Term Care.

When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 11 AM Pacific | 12 PM Mountain | 1 PM Central | 2 PM Eastern
Where: ONLINE - VIRTUAL - FREE

REGISTER NOW - REGISTER HERE

Expert Guest Panel

This is your chance to hear from experts in the field about Long-Term Care Insurance. If you have questions - now is the time to SIGN UP and join this conversation!

You’ll hear from

Vickie Frazier-Williams - MBA|Financial Services Professional | Multi-Career Leader | Wealth & Legacy Advocate

She brings YEARS of experience and knowledge to the conversation - I am honored to have her as our guest!

Vickie Frazier-Williams is a dynamic leader whose career spans three successful chapters—broadcast journalism, education, and financial services. A South Florida native, Vickie spent 20 years as a television reporter, primarily at Local 10 Eyewitness News in Miami, where she became a trusted voice in the community.

Today, Vickie is a distinguished financial services professional with New York Life Insurance Company, where she is a multi-year member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)—the top 2% of financial professionals worldwide—and a multiple-year Executive Council member. She is passionate about helping her clients build wealth, create legacies, and secure their financial futures, with a strong focus on empowering the underserved families and communities.

Long Term Care, in particular, is a topic Vickie is putting much time and effort into as a result of her own experience with caregiving. She is keenly aware of the lack of knowledge in this area and lends her expertise to educating the universe about this much needed benefit.

She holds an MBA from Florida International University, a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University.

Andrea Meewes Sanchez - Executive Administrator with the WA Cares Fund. The program is set to get underway in July, 2026.

What is the WA Cares Fund? It is focused on providing Long-Term Care Insurance benefits to Washingtonians. A brief description from the fund’s website explains it like this:

I’m super excited about this upcoming Let’s Talk Caregiving and I’m looking forward to seeing you there - hope you will join!

*Reminder: you DO need to create an AARP account to sign-up, so don’t delay - get registered NOW.

REGISTER NOW!

Until next time~
Julia

Julia Yarbough - Keeping It REAL Caregiving/Communications Consultant

A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring, reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.

She created Keeping It REAL Caregiving; to produce content to educate fellow caregivers. She also publishes the KeepingItREALCaregiving.substack.com newsletter, and serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy. The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow.

*For media inquiries and booking information:
info@juliayarboughmediagroup.com

Hello KIRC fam~

WELCOME to our newest subscribers! I’m so glad you are joining this gathering of #familycaregivers. Here at KIRC that includes those focused on #education #awareness, #equity, and improving the #care and #aging economy for ALL!

I’m excited to share this post with all of you. It is a testament to the power of raising our voices to advocate for legislation with direct impacts to caregiving.

Before I continue, THANK YOU to those who have stepped up to support KIRC along the way. The work is a one-woman effort to bridge the gap between policy-driven information, and the REAL challenges of navigating caregiving. Please consider elevating your involvement with a paid subscription that puts action to your support!

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A huge THANK YOU to the incredible team leading AARP Washington state!

It was such an honor to be able to add my voice, my insights, and my lived-experiences during a one-on-one legislative meeting with Representative Kim Schrier, M.D., representing Washington’s 8th Congressional District.

I had the pleasure of traveling to Washington, D.C. for advocacy efforts on behalf of Friends of the San Juans (I’ll share more on that in an upcoming post). Imagine my surprise and delight to discover the familiar faces of AARP Washington state leaders, also taking part in meetings with our state legislators.

Members of AARP from all over the country were on Capitol Hill with a singular message for lawmakers: protect Social Security, support family caregivers, and strengthen safeguards against fraud.

I volunteer with AARP, but some might consider this level of involvement somewhat exclusive (well… at least I do). So when I was invited to take part in this session, I immediately said YES!

Oh, and did I mention? — these impactful interactions after living here in Washington state for only a bit over one year! Cool, right?

On the Spot Advocacy

How could I be prepared for an impromptu meeting with a state lawmaker?

• Because the hands-on, lived-experience of taking care of my mother until her death gave me real-world experience that no course or classroom on caregiving can provide. I KNOW some of the gaps in care and how we (society) can, should, and MUST address these realities.

• Because I have lived through the traumatic loss of wildfire - watching climate changes translate into life-altering and life-threatening situations.

• Because I ‘talk the talk’ about family caregiving - the REAL topics many might overlook or avoid - because let’s face it - many of the topics are tough and uncomfortable.

My input? I chimed in on the importance of supporting family caregivers with continued respite programs, education about preparedness, and where this reality overlaps with the need for disaster planning.

I am but one voice. But, when we join together and collaborate, look at the impact that can be made? Sure, AARP is a massive, nation-wide organization with influence. That’s because people all over the country are willing to speak up: for themselves, each other, and our communities.

THANK YOU to everyone who is willing to ‘talk the talk!’ It matters ~

SAVE THE DATE!!

The next Let’s Talk Caregiving event, hosted by AARP and moderated by me - is set for:

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 at 11 AM Pacific!

We’ll be talking about Long Term Care Insurance - what it is, why you might need it, and what you need to know to ensure you and your loved ones have the support you need!

Until next time~
Julia

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Hello KIRC Fam~

I don’t think in our society we talk about death enough. It’s almost a taboo subject, and when you bring it up, people look at you funny. Or with a blank ‘deer-caught-in headlight’ stare. Or they change the subject.

But here’s the deal: as far as we know, none of us is getting out of this alive (shout-out to for such a simplistic yet profound concept) — which means ultimately the final stop is death. So why don’t we talk about Death more?

The Science of Death

Shouldn’t we understand the process of what happens to the body as it begins shutting down as Death inches closer? How do the senses change? What about the chemical aspects of our organs and systems closing down?

What are the emotional aspects for the person approaching their end - AND for those around them?

What about all the various logistical aspects that one has to put in place for body retrieval, transport to a morgue, how and where an individual will be ‘laid to rest?’

All of this has to be figured out. Yet, our society tends to STILL not talk about Death. Perhaps if we shared more of this information, the process wouldn’t hit us like a two-by-four when it does happen.

*We’ll dive deeper into this arena in Part III but I want you to begin thinking about these things…

Essential Documents

In Part I of this series we discussed the importance of getting your paperwork in order:

Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes someone you trust — called your agent or attorney-in-fact — to act on your behalf. But here’s what most people don’t realize: there is more than one kind, and each serves a very different purpose.

Durable Power of Attorney for Finances gives your designated agent the authority to manage your financial affairs — banking, bills, investments, real estate transactions — if you become unable to do so yourself. The word durable is critical here. It means the document remains in effect even if you become mentally incapacitated. Without that designation, a standard POA becomes void the moment you can no longer speak for yourself — which is exactly when you need it most.

Medical Power of Attorney - Healthcare Proxy A Healthcare Proxy, sometimes called a Medical Power of Attorney, allows you to appoint a specific person to make medical decisions for you if you are alive but incapacitated. Ask yourself: Who do you trust completely to honor your wishes under pressure? (These scenarios can be funny in comedy movies - not so much in real life).

That person becomes your healthcare agent. Ideally, your Healthcare Proxy and your Living Will work together — one names the person, the other spells out the parameters they must follow.

Living Will is your written record of specific medical wishes. What do you want if you cannot speak for yourself? What interventions do you want, or not want? Think ventilators, resuscitation (CPR), feeding tubes, or other life-sustaining measures. How long and under what conditions would you want to be kept alive? A Living Will speaks for you when you can’t.

Last Will & Testament vs. a Trust

These are two distinct legal instruments — and understanding the difference matters.

A Last Will and Testament Who will take care of any minor children? What about your possessions? All of your assets? How do you want those distributed? Do you own property? Who else is on the deed to your home?

If it is only you - and there is no Will - ownership could be determined by probate. That can take a lot of time, be expensive, and it is public record.

And this final point is crucial - WHO will pay the taxes on said property?

Different states have specific laws regarding property rights after death when there is no Will.

So remember: the responsibility for taxes, insurance, and mortgage payments now go to your heirs at your death. If these are not paid, a home could be lost to a Tax Certificate Sale or foreclosure.

AND - if a home’s title is ONLY in the name of the deceased, other family members could potentionaly have a tough time communicating with mortgage companies or tax collectors surrounding legal interest in the property. Bottom line here folks: Make a Will!

Additional Resource: HEIRS PROPERTY

A Trust — most commonly called a Revocable Living Trust. This holds your assets during your lifetime and transfers them to your beneficiaries. A Trust can also protect assets if you become incapacitated before death.

Simply put: a Trust addresses managing and transferring assets, and a Will covers anything not held in the Trust.

**It is a LOT to think about. KIRC is not a financial or legal advisor. Talk to an estate planning attorney for your individual situation.

Social media. Here’s one many people may not think about: what about all your social media accounts? How many of you have seen a ‘let’s connect’ automated message from an individual you KNOW has passed? It feels horrible and disrespectful. Yet - it simply means nobody thought to address the need to close out and remove social media accounts.

This is information that can be outlined in a Will - YOU can decide ahead of time who will have a list of accounts and passwords to access at your demise.

Cremation, Burial, Services, & Obituary

• What about your final wishes? How do you want to be treated after death? Burial or cremation? And if cremation, who gets your ashes and where do they put them? What’s your stipulation?

• Do you want some kind of service and if so, what does that look and feel like for those saying their goodbyes?

• If there’s a headstone, what do you want it to say? You never think about that, right? Well - you should. Why leave the absolute final message in someone else’s hands?

• And what about an obituary? Have you thought about what you want your life story to be? Or will it amount to a hastily written blurb - an afterthought that someone throws together? I say - think about how you want to be remembered and consider writing your OWN obituary. Is that morbid? I don’t think so. Who better to craft your life story?

• Do you need to spend thousands of dollars for a burial that you can’t attend?

  ---

So yeah - these are tough topics, for sure. Is it uncomfortable to think about inviting Death into your home before you really want the Grim Reaper hanging out? Of course it is!

BUT - here’s the deal. None of us is getting out of this alive. Take care of these items BEFORE a crisis hits - before grief, loss, and intense emotions are at work.

I would love to hear from some of you regarding how you have handled these items: What prompted you to take action? Have any KIRC articles motivated you to plan ahead? What insights do you have for others?

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Until next time~
Julia

Julia Yarbough - Keeping It REAL Caregiving/Communications Consultant

A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring and reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.

She created the Keeping It REAL Caregiving; to produce content to educate fellow caregivers. She also publishes the KeepingItREALCaregiving.substack.com newsletter, and serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy. The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow.

*For media inquiries and booking information:
info@juliayarboughmediagroup.com

THANK you to those who joined the latest episode of ‘Because We Care’ - myself, (Who Gets the China?) and (Caregiving Practically) joined forces to share ‘lived experience’ insights on family caregiving. The topic: navigating care when it might not truly be YOUR responsibility. Who out there DOESN’T sometimes wonder if you are taking on too much?

The topic of taking on the responsibility for others is a bit painful for me right now. A sibling was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. The prognosis? Devastating. I won’t go into details now, but here’s what I WILL say:

• Despite years of working within the caregiving space, sharing information, urging individuals to put necessary items in place… that wasn’t the case for members of this branch of the family tree.

• My nieces and nephews have been 100% unprepared to help their mother - my sister - with anything even close to ensuring that medical, legal, care, and property-related documents were in order. It breaks my heart. It angers me. It makes me incredibly sad on a level I can’t quite put into words.

• Listen folks - planning for aging and/or illness is not a joke. A crisis could hit any of us at any time. PLEASE take the time to educate yourselves and GET YOUR DOCUMENTS IN ORDER!

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

"So, I'm just coming home, everybody, from a family situation with a relative who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

And so for me, working in the caregiving space, A, I just want to jump into action and say, 'Okay, have you done this? Have you done this? Have you done this?

Have you done all this whole list of things that, incidentally, I have been championing for years, saying, You need to take care of this, you need to take care of this.'

Okay, none of that has been taken care of.

So I'll just say none of the legal paperwork, none of the medical paperwork, none of the planning in the household, none of the information that is valuable to have."

---

📄 End-of-Life Pre-Planning Documents

I vividly remember the afternoon when I sat down with my mother, and talked about putting her end-of-life legal documents in place. I knew she was getting older and had health issues. I knew I would likely be the family member handling her affairs. I also knew it would be emotional. But I insisted. Those documents were initially put in place almost 6-years before my mother’s death.

Nellie P. Yarbough and Julia Yarbough

• Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA): 💰 Who do you TRUST to handle your affairs if you can’t? There are different types of POA’S - Power of Attorney. The DPOA grants someone you trust the legal authority to manage your financial affairs (like paying bills or selling property) if you become incapacitated. Think of a POA as the form needed when you are alive… but not able to handle items yourself.

• Medical Power of Attorney (HCPOA): 🏥 Ask yourself who do you TRUST with your life? This is another type of POA - A Healthcare Proxy. This document allows you to designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if/when you cannot communicate for yourself. (Accident, medical condition, etc.) And don’t think this would never be the case. I spent more than 20+ years as a news reporter and covered all manner of tragic ‘life changes in an instant’ situations. IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANY OF US AT ANY TIME - be PREPARED!

• Living Will: 📝 This is slightly different from a standard will, which focuses on AFTER your death. A Living Will outlines specific medical treatments you do or do not want, or how long and in what manner you wish to be kept alive in ‘end-of-life’ situations (such as ventilators or feeding tubes). Ask yourself: do you want those decisions left up to others -OR - should you take the time NOW to make your own choices?

• Last Will and Testament: 🏘️ This document outlines what happens to, and who gets your assets and property after your death. It also names guardians for any minor children you may leave behind. Many people seem to think that a Last Will and Testament is for ‘rich’ people only. NOT TRUE! If you own a home - that is an asset. Have a car? What about all the items in your home. Savings/checking/investment accounts? All of that has VALUE that can help to build generational wealth for your children, grandchildren, etc. Not to mention - WHO do you want taking care of your children if you are no longer here? DO NOT LEAVE THIS TO CHANCE!

You might still be thinking you don’t need to do any of this. But here’s WHY it is so important. Situations can change in an instant - illness or accident can happen at any time to any of us. And then it may be too late.

Putting all of these documents in place while you are healthy and clear-headed gives you time to truly think about what YOU want. Do not wait until there is a crisis at hand. Block some time. Sit down with your own thoughts - maybe your loved ones - talk it out - make a plan.

Additional Resources

• American Bar Association (ABA): The ABA has a “Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning” that helps consumers navigate the legal requirements of these documents.

  ABA: Giving Someone a Power of Attorney
  

• AARP (Family Caregiving): AARP provides state-specific advance directive forms and practical advice on how to get the conversations going with loved ones.

  AARP: Advance Directive Forms by State
  

• Five Wishes: This program has uses a user-friendly format to tackle medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual needs.

  Five Wishes: About the Program

*NOTE: Keeping It REAL Caregiving does not provide legal, financial, or medical advice. The above are based on ‘lived-experience’ input and guidance. Consult a qualified attorney, financial planner, and/or medical professional when preparing legal documents.

In Part-II of this series, we’ll take a deeper dive into the difference between a DNR and a POLST - and WHY you absolutely MUST educate yourself.

Until next time~
Julia

Julia Yarbough - Keeping It REAL Caregiving/Communications Consultant
A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring and reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.

She created the Keeping It REAL Caregiving; to produce content to educate fellow caregivers. She also publishes the KeepingItREALCaregiving.substack.com newsletter, and serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy. The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow.

*For media inquiries and booking information:
info@juliayarboughmediagroup.com

There are no accidents.
Everyone comes into your life for a reason.
Everything happens for a reason.

Quite often we do not recognize the significance of events or chance meetings until years later.

On a cool but sunny afternoon in July 2009, I walked a trail through a beautiful outdoor space and chatted with a man named Billy Frank, Jr.

The excursion was part of a 10-day environmental sciences fellowship with the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources, where I joined other journalists to explore the environmental challenges facing the Puget Sound region.

At the time, I lived and worked as a news anchor in Miami. Though on opposite coasts, both regions shared some of the same environmental struggles: protecting fragile ecosystems from unchecked development, preserving critical habitat, managing invasive species, and finding win-win solutions for wildlife and humans alike.

I spent a good deal of time that day with Billy Frank, Jr. — but did not appreciate the magnitude of the moment. And that’s because I did not know his history.

Billy Frank, Jr. was a Nisqually Indian Tribe leader who spent his life fighting for his people’s treaty right to fish the waters of their ancestors. During the Fish Wars of the 1960s and 1970s, that dedication led to more than 50 arrests. His activism drove the landmark 1974 Boldt Decision, securing tribal co-management of Pacific Northwest fisheries. He then turned to habitat restoration and conservation — protecting the very land and water he had always defended.

In 2015, six years after our meeting, President Obama renamed the wildlife refuge in his honor.

Photos courtesy of Julia Yarbough, 2009.

Photo courtesy of Julia Yarbough, 2026.

On a cool, overcast afternoon in February 2026, I pulled into the Billy Frank, Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, en route to Olympia to join Friday Harbor High School Eco-Club students for a day of legislative advocacy.

The moment I saw the entry sign, I knew I had been to this magical place before.

I had walked the boardwalk, strolled the shoreline, been awed by the beauty. Not only had I visited this place — I had spent the afternoon with a Nisqually Indian Tribe icon; a powerful advocate, environmentalist, and conservationist who dedicated his life to protecting the land of his ancestors, home to more than 300 species of birds, fish, and wildlife.

That land remains for all of us, because of Billy Frank, Jr.’s commitment to protecting it.

Seventeen years later, Washington is home. It is an honor to live in such a unique region and serve Friends of the San Juans as Volunteer Media Ambassador.

Without knowing how or why, fate brought me to the Pacific Northwest; to the San Juan Islands — perhaps, like the icon I met all those years ago so I could work alongside ‘Friends’ as we all Protect this Place.

*Caring Across Communities, Inc. is the non-profit arm to Keeping It REAL Caregiving.

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*The reality is, the concept of CARE extends beyond only looking out for a relative or friend. I believe it also means being aware of the ongoing need to CARE for the world around us and all the species which share this space.

*We are stewards of our lands, water, air, and other life forms. If we make decisions to destroy any or all of that for the short-term financial gains of a few, then the very world we all need to survive may be forever damaged or destroyed. Species may cease to exist. We are ALL responsible for what we leave to future generations. Please CARE for the world around us…

Until next time~
Julia

Hello KIRC fam~

I would like to invite you to join me, and Keeping It REAL Caregiving for a FREE WEBINAR this week! I’ve been invited to present a session with The Arc of California talking EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS for family caregivers.

It is my honor to use my lived experiences of family caregiving AND that of wildfire survivor (not that I WANTED to have that title…) to raise awareness and help educate others to a CRUCIAL aspect of family caregiving - emergency prep BEFORE disaster hits.

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Event

Caregiving Emergency Planning: Be Ready for the Unexpected

The Arc of California is hosting this FREE webinar as part of the Caring Conversations series.

Keeping IT REAL Caregiving is honored to present at this session. I will focus on Emergency Preparedness for Caregivers, providing insight, tools, and resources.

I know FAMILY CAREGIVING - I took care of my mother in the last years of her life with the HEAVY DUTY WORK OF HANDS ON CARE both in my home, and later assisting with facility living.

I know WILDFIRE SURVIVAL - the 2024 Northern California Park Fire DESTROYED my home - I lost most everything!

Here’s What We’ll Cover

• Preparing for emergencies BEFORE a crisis hits.

• Practical tools and resources

• Creating a game-plan & connecting with your community

Details & Registration

When: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM Pacific | 11:00 AM Mountain | 12:00 PM Central | 1:00 PM Eastern
Where: ZOOM ONLINE - Free Registration

REGISTER HERE - REGISTER NOW

Additional Reading

See you Thursday, April 23, 2026 for this exciting, informative, and educational FREE WEBINAR!

Until Next Time~
Julia

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Hey KIRC fam~

I just let out a huge SIGH after the past couple of weeks I’ve had dealing with a family caregiving situation extremely close to home. OMG I won’t get into it now, because it makes me incredibly angry, frustrated, and sad.

Let’s just say - there is PLENTY of real-life drama, angst, loss, pain, and lessons-learned that I will break down and share with you.

The timing of this life event comes just as the latest episode of Because We Care has dropped. What we’re diving into: How do we navigate and protect our emotions and mental health, when the responsibility of care does not belong to us? If you have EVER experienced internal turmoil similar to this - WATCH OUR EPISODE!

Okay - all for now, but there is MORE on the way!

Until next time~
Julia

Because We Care: Supporting Others When It’s Not “Your” Responsibility.

Hello KIRC fam~

You’re invited to the next SUBSTACK LIVE brought to you by Because We Care - three #caregiving substackers coming together trying and hoping to share valuable information with others. And boy - do we have a LOT to unpack in this latest SUBSTACK LIVE episode!

Who are we and why do we care? Read our work, share, follow, subscribe, and support independent thought leaders working in the #caregiving field.

Keeping IT REAL Caregiving

Caregiving Practically

Who Gets the China?

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Event Details

Because We Care: Supporting Others When It’s Not “Your” Responsibility

This topic is timely no matter where you are on YOUR caregiving journey. Hope you’ll join us.

• Are you feeling overwhelmed while trying to assist a loved one?

• Are you getting stressed wanting the best the for those around you but feeling as if no one else cares?

• Are you angry and frustrated that loved ones fail to prepare for caregiving when YOU see it coming but they ignore the warning signs?

If you answered YES to any of these, then you should join our SUBSTACK LIVE!

We are three family caregivers, providing lived-experience insight, information, resources, and commentary - each bringing unique perspectives from the #caregiving reality.

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM Pacific | 4:30 PM Mountain | 5:30 PM Central | 6:30 PM Eastern
Where: SUBSTACK LIVE! (right here)

HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW!

Until next time~
Julia

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Hello KIRC fam~

Today KIRC is sharing an article from the American Society on Aging publication Generations Now.

PLEASE READ and share with your network of online friends - family - coworkers - ANYONE who is getting older or caring for someone who is older.

https://generations.asaging.org/scammers-steal-billions-from-elders-and-others/

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If there were a contest for worst scam offender, impersonator scams would win. Year after year, they’ve topped the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) list of most reported scams, and 2025 was no exception. Scammers are very good at impersonating well-known businesses and government agencies, and at making up a crisis while telling all kinds of lies. That helps them trick people—including older adults—into paying thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Imposter scams account for some of the highest reported losses by adults ages 60 and older.

While impersonator scams come in all shapes and sizes, reports to the FTC show that they also often come up in combination. Harry (not his real name) reported to the FTC that he experienced a scam combining business and government impersonators. His scam combo started when he received an email about a $1,500 fraudulent charge to his credit card.

Harry didn’t recall having that particular card but immediately called the number in the email to get more information. In retrospect, Harry admits that was a mistake. While he knows not to contact phone numbers in unexpected emails, he says that he got caught up in the moment. When Harry called, the first man he spoke with said someone had ordered $1,500 in merchandise, including a gaming console, which was already being shipped.

“Then he transferred me to someone else who could help me clear the matter up, but he needed my information,” said Harry. “Or I would have to hire a criminal attorney because charges would be filed against me.” In all, Harry talked to three different individuals who claimed to work for the FTC and the U.S. Marshals Service—all offering to help. Unfortunately, every single one of them was a scammer.

Scammers Create a Sense of Urgency

Harry’s experience shows scammers’ tactics of using urgency and fear, scaring people into giving money and sharing personal information in the hope of resolving a problem that’s really made up. In Harry’s case, his belief that he was in trouble led him to eventually share his bank’s name and the last four digits of his Social Security number. As this was happening, Harry also got locked out of his bank account after entering the wrong password several times.

The alleged FTC official on the phone (who was really a scammer) told Harry to go to the bank and keep him on speaker phone for instructions on what to do and say to the teller—which is another tactic scammers use to keep people from talking to anyone who might stop the scam.

Luckily, we’ll never know just how much money scammers wanted Harry to withdraw because Harry got suspicious. He started thinking, “I don’t have that credit card. Something’s wrong here.” He got off the phone and searched online to find the real phone number for the card. Once he verified there were no fraudulent charges on his account, he went to his bank. The bank confirmed this had been an imposter scam, helped him secure his accounts, and told him to report the scam to the FTC.

While Harry didn’t lose money, he had given scammers his information. As he puts it, “this wasn’t their first rodeo.” So, after filing a fraud report, Harry followed the FTC’s advice on what to do after his identity was exposed, how to freeze his credit, and how to protect himself from scams.

Scammers Target Everyone

Not every scam experience turns out as well as Harry’s. Unfortunately, some people lose hard-earned money to scammers who pretend to be real businesses and government agencies. “I’m 70 years old, but I still work in IT. I’m an intelligent man, but they had me in their pockets,” said Will (not his real name), who lost $3,000 in two different wire transfers after he answered an unexpected call.

“The call came in as Chase, and I don’t have a Chase account. That should have been a red flag. But then he said my Zelle and Apple accounts were locked and transferred me to someone who could help me.”

This “helper” claimed to be an FBI agent, and even shared a badge number, which Will now knows is fake. The call quickly went from supposed fraudulent activity on Will’s bank accounts to a request to send money to help the FBI arrest the so-called thief misusing his accounts. “It made me angry and they convinced me I was helping them catch the guy collecting the money I sent. They also asked me not to tell anyone because it was an active investigation.”

Scammers often use the name of real government employees, share ID or badge numbers, and ask people to keep everything a secret. Will was supposed to get his money back as soon as they caught “the bad guy,” but the only thing he got were more calls and texts asking him to send still more money. Will’s son eventually convinced him to stop sending money because he recognized it as a scam.

“People think, this will never happen to me. But here I am, licking my wounds and wondering: how did that ever happen to me?” Will said. “I’m very embarrassed.” Such feelings are extremely common after someone has been scammed; however, it can be helpful to remember—and to remind others—that scammers never target just one person, and scams can happen to anyone. When a scam occurs, the first step is trying to recover any money lost. While it can be difficult to get money back, there are still steps worth taking if a scammer was paid.

Taking Action

To fight against imposter scams, the FTC and other federal, state and local government agencies continue to investigate reports, warn consumers, and bring law enforcement cases. But there also are ways to help protect yourself and your community. Start by learning how to recognize the signs of an imposter scam and then talk to others about them. Have an action plan to help slow down and check out unexpected calls, emails, or texts to avoid a scam. And, when contacted unexpectedly:

• Verify the story. Contact the organization in question using a verified phone number, website, or email address. Don’t use the contact information in the unexpected message or any number they gave. That’ll lead straight to the scammers.

• Know how scammers demand payment. Nobody legitimate will ever say you can only pay by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or gold. And never pay anyone who demands money in an unexpected call or message — even if they claim that moving your money will help “protect it.”

• Talk to someone you know and trust—before paying. Especially if someone on the phone says the problem is serious, involves a crime, or they claim to be from the government.

Stay on top of the latest fraud trends by signing up for alerts at ftc.gov/ConsumerAlerts. And if you think you’ve spotted a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Gema de las Heras is a consumer education specialist at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC.
Photo credit: Shutterstock/DimaBerlin

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Until next time~
Julia

I’m super excited to share this post with you. It is a true merging of passion, ideals, and love of the outdoors. It is work that ‘connects the dots’ between caregiving and the importance of extending that same CARE to the world around us; our environment! My goal is to dedicate (hopefully) at least one day a week to link different aspects of CARE.

This segment goes one step further by showcasing the power of intergenerational awareness and advocacy that has the ability to impact our lives for years, and perhaps generations to come. Keep reading to find the overview of a recent event I had the honor of taking part in and capturing the day’s events. It helped renew my faith in the power of unity as Generation Z and Generation Alpha come of age and move into decision-making roles!

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA, March, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

Advocating for protecting the unique environment of the San Juan Islands, 15 students from the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club and one student from Orcas Island High School traveled to the State Capitol in Olympia, on February 24, 2026. The students, ranging from freshman to seniors, took part in a series of one-on-one meetings with members of the Governor’s staff and state legislators, exercising their civic rights to voice opinions and strive for change.

“I have always had a great appreciation of nature and a painful awareness of the existential reality of climate change,” said high school senior Flora Vaught, and President of the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club. “I wanted to make a difference. Traveling to Olympia has taught me more about politics, leadership, and organizing than any school class or textbook. Meeting with our district legislators and Senator has helped me become a more civically educated citizen and given me more hope in our ability as ordinary citizens to help incite change in policy.”

Mentorship support of the Eco Club is led by Friends of the San Juans and the San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship. Financial support for student’s day of legislative action was provided by Friends members, the Madrona Institute Stewardship Fund, and the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

The advocacy day began with a roundtable discussion with staff from the Governor’s office of Natural Resources followed by individual meetings with District 40’s Senator Liz Lovelett, Representative Debra Lekanoff, and Representative Alex Ramel. Students delivered talking points and asked questions on select bills of the 2026 legislative session pertaining to conservation, renewable energy, plastics and recycling, and home energy usage.

At the forefront of action items was Washington’s Bottle Deposit Bill, HB 1607 / SB 5502, which would have Washington consumers pay an extra 10-cents on bottles or beverage containers, with the goal of reducing litter and plastic waste. Students also advocated for HB 1015, designed to make energy efficiency information about a home more transparent for buyers and renters.

Speaking directly to the Governor’s staff, Eco Club sophomore August D’ambruoso outlined why he supports HB 1015, explaining “It incentivizes green solutions in homes and can save people who are looking to buy a house thousands of dollars in hidden fees from insulation and heat pumps, which I think is pretty important.”

“I was amazed to watch our students explain, promote, and defend their priorities for legislation to veteran legislators,” explains Sam Garson, Friday Harbor High School teacher, and advisor of the Eco Club. “It was a great reminder of the skills we are instilling in our students to support personal connections away from screens and devices that allow them to be present in the moment and in their own community futures.”

This is the sixth year Eco Club students have traveled to Olympia to gain first-hand experience of how bills are made, meeting their lawmakers, and being exposed to possible career opportunities.

“Our club is unique. We get the freedom to pursue and advocate for projects and legislation we are passionate about and I know we will continue to work hard to protect our unique environment in this crucial time.” said Vaught.

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About Friends of the San Juans

Founded in 1979, Friends of the San Juans protects and restores the San Juan Islands through science, education, policy, and community engagement. Friends fosters wild and healthy shorelines, conserves forests, farms, freshwater, and prairie habitats, and works to ensure a thriving marine ecosystem. Through hands-on learning and youth leadership opportunities, Friends empowers the next generation to care for the land and sea while advancing policies that protect island communities for years to come. Learn more at www.sanjuans.org.

As a family caregiver who cares deeply for the health, well-being, and protection of our environment, it warms my heart to see the level of dedication and passion in these young people.

Thanks for indulging this expansion of CARE-related work. I hope it inspires even ONE additional person to learn, get involved, and take steps to protect the only planet we have.

Until next time~
Julia