The Local Take focus on CAREGIVERS continues. Dr. Kalisha Bonds-Johnson, a researcher at Emory University, focuses on African American caregivers. Funded by the NIH, her work specifically targets African-American women, often daughters who are also caregivers. Her research company is Decide Research.
I asked Bonds-Johnson about her research and why this was important even beyond our community. She speaks about how research on caregivers in general is important, but very little research is being done on our community. To capture information on our community, the research needs to be intentional and targeted.
Her focus on caregivers who are non-spousal adult daughters is a labor of love for Bonds-Johnson. She shares that recruiting this underrepresented group required gaining trust.
Bonds-Johnson provides advice for caregivers, starting with the acceptance that you are “human” and you have emotions. You can acknowledge that “I’m not my best self,” you can laugh, you can cry. She advises that we need to normalize human emotions, including being upset or angry.
Additionally, she reminds caregivers to get help. Create a community made up of friends, the healthcare team, your associates, church members, workout buddies, and neighbors. Also, remember what makes you you and take the time to recharge.
We can keep up with Bonds-Johnson's work and reach her at kbonds@emory.edu