I recently had the privilege of attending the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s 10th annual National Convening at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

Invited as a special guest, I took the opportunity to turn this invitation into a chance to interview some of the amazing people doing amazing work in the Caregiving community for my international podcast, All Home Care Matters. It was an event I will never forget and was truly honored, humbled and inspired to be a part of it.

Blueprint for Action

This year’s theme, “A Blueprint for Action: Mapping the Future of Caregiving in a Changing World,” featured leaders from government, industry, nonprofits and academia who gathered for dynamic discussions, engaging keynote speakers and interactive working sessions focused on shaping the future of support for military and veteran caregivers.

Former US Senator Elizabeth Dole, 88, also was in attendance. In 2012, she founded Caring for Military Families: The Elizabeth Dole Foundation to raise awareness and support for the millions of young spouses, mothers, fathers and other loved ones caring for our nation’s wounded warriors at home.

The Honorable Douglas A. Collins, 12th secretary of Veterans Affairs, delivered  the keynote address. Collins previously served as the US representative for Georgia’s 9th congressional district from 2013 to 2021.

Among the attendees I had a chance to talk with and interview were:

• Liana Redshaw, a 2025 EDF fellow and caregiver for her husband, Ryan, a former Army veteran who suffers from Alzheimer’s. She has become a powerful voice in the military and veteran caregiver community.

• G.R. Zuniga,  a 2025 EDF fellow from California and a certified peer specialist, is a devoted caregiver to his veteran brother, who was injured while serving in the Army. G.R. is a passionate advocate for military families and an inspiration to his community!

• US Sen. Rubén Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine Corps veteran serving since 2025 as the junior US senator from Arizona.
• US Sen. David McCormick (R-PA), a former US Army officer serving since 2025 as the junior US senator from Pennsylvania.
• US Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) 26^th district and champion of military families and caregivers. Brownley was a pivotal force in the passage of the Dole Act and received the 2025 Caregiver Support of the Year Award from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation as the Convening.

Organizers of Elizabeth Dole Foundation Convening

Helping organize and host the event from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation were CEO Steve Schwab, COO Elizabeth Field and Tessa Miller, director of marketing and communications. I also must praise Susan Davis International (SDI), one of the top  public affairs agencies in the country, and Senior VP Jenny Wang and Special Events Coordinator Haylee Sigafoose. While I garnered plenty of incredible content for my highly respected podcast and YouTube channel, I also left with a heart full of admiration and inspiration. To be part of this gathering was to witness hope in action. The energy, expertise and empathy shared here will inspire me and countless others to keep advocating for military and veteran caregivers — and to never stop believing in the difference we can make.

One of the many standout features of this year’s event was its focus on actionable outcomes. Attendees worked collaboratively to develop a series of blueprints, informed by the latest research and best practices. These guides are intended to help organizations, agencies, and advocates implement effective programs and policies, ensuring that the needs of caregivers remain at the forefront as the landscape of military and veteran care continues to evolve.

This convening showed me that the future of caregiving is not just about resources and research, but about the power of community and the courage to act together for those who serve our nation and their families. Together, we will chart the course for America’s military and veteran caregivers and the future of caregiving in a rapidly evolving world.

Complete coverage and content related to The Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s 10th annual National Convening will be featured in the coming months on YouTube, allhomecarematters.com and on most podcast Streaming platforms as well as on social media. Keep updated at allhomecarematters.com.

Lance A. Slatton is a senior case manager at Enriched Life Home Care Services in Livonia, MI. He is also host of the podcast All Home Care Matters, a podcast and YouTube channel. The channel earned the YouTube Creator Award for surpassing 100,000 subscribers.

Lance A. Slatton CSCM Host of The Nation's Leading Voice in Long-Term Care Issues

Lance has worked at Enriched Life Home Care Services as a Senior Case Manager for over 8 years and has been the host of All Home Care Matters since its inception in 2020.

Lance finds joy in helping families and those needing care and support. This led Lance and the team at Enriched Life Home Care Services to create All Home Care Matters in 2020 to act as a continuation of the work that they have been doing for families and communities throughout Southeastern Michigan.

This commitment to the families and communities in Michigan has led Enriched Life Home Care Services being recognized and awarded the #1 home care provider in Michigan for the past 5 years in a row.

As host of All Home Care Matters he is always looking for ways to help listeners and viewers to find and have the information, resources, and support that they need as they face long-term care issues and letting them know that they are not alone.

Lance also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for a senior center in Monroe County, Michigan.