Helen Keller once said ‘The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.’ Caregivers understand this statement, as do those who benefit from a caregiver’s generosity and self-sacrifice. A caregiver is not off the clock at 5:00 every day; they are often on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Caregivers have the heart, diligence, patience, and love to offer support to those who cannot manage their own care.

Family caregivers form the bedrock for long-term care across our nation and the world. Here in the U.S., November is recognized as National Caregiver Appreciation Month, a long-overdue, month-long tribute to recognize those amazingly dedicated individuals who provide care-giving support to a family member or loved one.

According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 65 million people, or 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend, spending an average of 20 hours per week providing care. Check out Current’s “Information My Family Needs to Know Kit” & our “Organizer for Loved Ones” to help keep your loved ones information in one place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are groups who offer support for caregivers, as well. The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the organization responsible for choosing the theme for National Family Caregivers Month every year. This network makes materials available for general use, including the theme, a media kit, and posters. CAN also has many other resources to support caregivers, including a “Family Caregiver Toolbox” on their website.

The Family Caregiver toolbox contains valuable information on frequently asked questions about caregiving, nutrition counseling, life after loss, technology for caregivers, and several video series on subjects such as managing the cost of care, how to talk to your doctor, how to talk to your parents, and how to manage medications.

The theme for National Family Caregivers Month for November 2016 is “Take Care to Give Care”, reminding family caregivers that to be strong enough to care for a loved one, you must remember to first take care of yourself.

Caregivers deserve all the support possible. Find out how you can get involved and show support for a caregiver you know. A little support can make a big difference in the life of those who give to others unselfishly.