Honoring the Family Caregiver

As a caregiver it is encouraging to me that there is a month dedicated to family caregivers. Whether you are a spouse caring for your significant other, an adult daughter or son caring for a parent, a parent caring for an ill or disabled child or many other caregiving scenarios, November has been set aside in the United States as National Family Caregivers Month. The month is dedicated to planned events, resources and raising awareness of the ever-growing population of family caregivers and their endless hours of caring for their loved one.

The organization, Caregiver Action Network (CAN) leads the effort as to how this month is celebrated annually. Through coordination with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and other like-minded organizations attention is brought to the efforts and lives of a growing population of caregivers.

The efforts of these organizations were officially acknowledged when in 1997 President Clinton signed the first National Family Caregivers Month Presidential Proclamation.

This year’s theme for 2023 is #CaregiversConnect, highlights the importance of connections. These connections serve to gather information to support your loved one, share experiences, get support and to strengthen the bond with your loved one.

On October 31, 2023, President Biden proclaimed November National Family Caregivers Month. Click here to read his proclamation.

So, what kind of resources are available from the Caregiver Action Network (CAN)?

CAN provides a Basics of Caregiving section to keep track of all the essentials you need to remember. You will find some of the following tools.

• Patient File Checklist

• Care Chat

• Emergency Room Visits

• Medication List

• Around the Clock Caregiving

• Ten Tips for Caregivers

• Doctor's Visits

• Symptom Reporting Guide

The Toolbox features other resources that are worth exploring depending on your needs and the needs of your loved one.

• New Caregiver?

• Long Distance Caregiver

• Financial and Legal Tools

• Stay Strong While Caregiving

• Long Time Caregiver?

• Clinical Trials: Myths and Facts

• Traumatic Brain Injury Caregiving Puzzle

• Caring by Condition

• Juggling a Job and Caregiving

• Watch and Learn Videos

• Local and National Organizations

Join the Network on Facebook

Along with this year's theme of #Caregivers Connect, the Caregiver Action Network has a Facebook page to connect with others. As caregivers we often feel isolated. Connecting virtually is not the same as being with others in person however, reaching out is the first step towards not feeling so alone.

Do you Know a Caregiver?

Being a caregiver can be a challenging and exhausting task. Reaching out to a caregiver that you know can be a lifeline for them. Below are some ideas to consider and act upon.

Give them a Break

• Caregiving can be emotionally and physically draining. Offer to take over for a few hours or even a day or two. Having time to be able to do something for themselves is an opportunity for them to regroup, rest and find hope in what can sometimes be a mundane day to day routine.

Reach Out to Them

• Sometimes, all a caregiver needs is someone to talk to. Reach out to them and let them know that you care and are there for them.

• Caregivers may feel like people don’t care about what they’re going through, or at the very least don’t understand. Lend a listening ear to give them an opportunity to share what they are experiencing.

• Offer to help with day-to day tasks. What might the caregiver need done that they cannot get to. Perhaps the garden needs weeding or their car needs to be washed. Do they need help with the shopping?

• Send them an encouraging message. A card or simple message of encouragement even on a text can go a long way in helping the caregiver feel appreciated and supported.

If you're a caregiver, take some time to explore the resources out there. If you know a caregiver, take time out to lend a hand and join the celebration of our caregivers.