How Will YOU Recognize National Family Caregiver Month?

Recently, President Obama declared November 2010 to be the first annual National Family Caregiver Month.  During a month that we honor our veterans and prepare for the family-filled holiday season, it seems only suiting that we would also take the time out to support, thank, and acknowledge the over 65 million family caregivers that are actively caring for their loved ones.  Family caregivers cover a wide range of our community, from mothers caring for chronically ill or disabled children, to adult children caring for their aging parents, family caregivers dedicate large portions of their day to day to aiding their loved ones in need.

Responsibilities of family caregivers include a broad spectrum of tasks like bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, providing transportation, running errands, managing finances, managing health care needs and administering medications, maintaining safety, providing emotional and social support, coordinating care with others and more.  While some do this from their home, many others need the help and support of a community of people.  As such, they seek regular assistance from nursing homes, assisted living homes, hospice, or in-home care providers.  Together with trained staff, family caregivers make it their mission to ensure the lives of their loved ones are as fruitful as possible.

Because family caregivers work so hard, an entire month has been set aside to reach out and provide support for them, just as they provide support for a loved one on a daily basis.  As such, it is important to take some time out this month and recognize the hard work done by family caregivers.  There are many resources available to locally support these caregivers, which range from volunteering in retirement communities, gathering information on geriatric care management, and even caregiver support groups throughout the country.  If you know a family caregiver, take a moment to thank them for their hard work, take them out to lunch, or volunteer to help them with their daily tasks.  Family caregivers give a lot of themselves, and this month you can show them just how much they are appreciated.