November is National Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Month – celebrated each November – is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country.
Celebrate Caregivers and Their Invaluable Work!
Join us as we celebrate caregivers and the invaluable work they do and read our list of things that every family caregiver should know and remember this month.
Celebrating Family Caregivers enables all of us to:
Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
Educate family caregivers about self-identification
Increase support for family caregivers
Understand that you are not alone
Your work is valuable
10 Facts Caregivers Should Know During National Family Caregivers Month
1. Caregiving is costly.
Nearly half of working caregivers report that caregiving expenses have depleted most — or even all — of their savings.
2. Help is available.
If you do decide that your loved one needs more than you alone can provide, we can help!
3. Knowledge can make your job easier.
A National Alliance for Caregiving survey found that 73% of caregivers said that praying helps them to cope with the stress. 44% said that reading books about caregiving and visiting supportive websites help.
4. You are America’s #1 long-term care provider.
Family caregivers provide a staggering 90% of long-term care in America.
5. You are not alone.
More than 65 million Americans care for their aging or disabled loved ones on a yearly basis.
6. You can take a break.
Just because you’ve committed to caring for a parent or senior loved one doesn’t mean you can’t take a break. We can help you!
7. You have limits.
Despite the demonstrated perseverance and strength of family caregivers, each of us has limits. It’s important to recognize when our loved one has declined to a point that professional care is the best option.
8. You have someone to talk to.
General caregiving support groups can be found by contacting your doctor. Furthermore, there are many online support groups for caregivers.
9. You have to care for yourself first.
If you’re not keeping yourself happy and healthy, it’s doubtful that you will be able to do your best for your parent or senior loved one.
10. Your work is valuable.
The value of the unpaid care these 65 million caregivers provide is estimated to be worth $375 billion.
Show Your Support
Show Your Support and Get Involved
Offer Meals
Something as simple as offering to bring them a meal will go a long way. Their time spent away from home can be lengthy and tiresome, and a home cooked meal can do wonders!
Offer Cleaning Services
Even simple help can help such as washing dishes, folding laundry, or vacumming! Or you can volunteer to help pay for someone to help clean. Coming home from an exhausting day to a clean house is wonderful!
Offer Sitter Services
Allow the caregiver time to rest by volunteering to sit with the person who they are helping for a bit.
Even just a few hours can make a difference!
