National Family Caregivers Month: How To Honor Family Caregivers

Over 48 million family caregivers assist elderly parents, spouses, grandparents, and other family members in maintaining their independence in their homes and communities rather than being compelled to reside in expensive nursing homes [1].

Family caregivers make a big difference in the lives of society’s most vulnerable members. They care for and help loved ones with limitations resulting from disease, accident, or disability. The care receiver may have physical or developmental disabilities or may be in a condition (permanent or temporary) where they require assistance with daily activities and other parts of their lives. 

Being a caregiver is a tremendously demanding task. Taking care of a person can be taxing, and bearing the weight of such responsibilities requires massive dedication and patience. The caregivers deserve recognition for their tireless efforts. 

National Family Caregivers Month

While providing care can be a fulfilling experience, it can also be challenging. A recent poll found that between 40 to 70 percent of caregivers suffer substantial symptoms of depression, and many of them report feeling anxious [2].

In the process of providing care, caregivers frequently neglect their own needs. They also often fail to receive the recognition and gratitude they deserve.

We commemorate National Family Caregivers Month in November every year to honor the millions of family caregivers in the US. It is a moment to honor and thank caregivers nationwide, educate communities, strengthen support for our country’s caregivers, and promote awareness of caregiving challenges.

This November, it’s critical that we take the time to honor those who look for the most vulnerable family members.

How to Honor Family Caregivers

How can we honor family caregivers? Here are ways we may acknowledge them and let them know they are not alone.

Thank Family Caregivers

Express gratitude to family caregivers for their efforts daily, not only during specifically difficult times. Appreciate them on a job well done, whether it’s a good meal or an excellent crisis management effort.

Describe the various ways they are truly improving the lives of their loved ones. Honor the successes, no matter how big or small. Convey your admiration for everything they do and your recognition of their abilities and perseverance under the most challenging circumstances.

Spend Time With a Caregiver

Take some time out of your busy schedule to be with them.

• Inquire about their well-being and express your interest in their response. Emphasize that their quality of life and physical, mental, and emotional well-being are equally as vital as those of their loved ones.
• Do activities with them frequently. Take them out for dinner or a cup of tea or coffee. Plan a weekly check-in call or go for a walk with them once a week. Make plans in advance to give them something to anticipate. Be accommodating if there is a last-minute adjustment due to their caring responsibilities.
• Visit to see them and their loved ones. Even brief visits can have a significant impact on their day. If they are giving hands-on care to loved ones, attempt to avoid their busiest times.

Listen to Them Without Being Judgmental.

Encourage caregivers to express whatever emotions they may be experiencing.

• Allow them to share their feelings, narrate stories, laugh, weep, vent, and think back on their caregiving experiences. All you have to do is show concern and affirm their viewpoints; there is nothing you need to change.
• Tell them you understand that they are going through a difficult period. Let them know that you understand that feelings of joy, fullness, and satisfaction can coexist with resentment, rage, and frustration.

Help Caregivers Take a Break.

Instead of just telling them to take a break, assist them in making it happen.

• Assist them in scheduling and implementing a plan. You can pay for some respite care via an agency.
• Look into respite care options. Explore local or state respite programs, or consider a brief respite stay at a skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Discuss it with them and take the necessary steps to follow up and make it happen. 
• Consider spending some time with the people they are caring for. Having someone else engage with the people they care for while they take care of other things is a tremendous assistance.

Actively Show Your Support.

Help by taking on caring responsibilities or supporting their daily lives. There are things you can do to help and express gratitude, either once or repeatedly, whether you are physically present with them or providing support from a distance.

• Assist with continuing caring duties, such as scheduling appointments, ordering prescription medications, paying bills, and arranging transportation. This can ease the caregiver’s daily burden and enable them to perform their tasks more effectively.
• Prepare a meal or order for delivery for a caregiver and their loved one they look after. Inform them beforehand so they know they won’t have to prepare the meal that day.
• Conduct internet research for them. Assist in finding health care professionals, gathering information about health concerns, locating medical equipment, or finding the right gadget to fulfill a particular need.
• Do housework and yard work (or pay someone to do so) at their home. Cleaning, mowing the lawn, putting up holiday decorations, and other activities on top of caregiving might be stressful. 
• Help them organize. Reduce their stress levels by arranging medical supplies, cleaning the refrigerator, organizing that disorganized closet or cupboard, or getting rid of clutter around the house.
• Run errands for them. Pick up household goods, dry cleaning, groceries, or care supplies, or schedule and pay for delivery.

Promote the Self-Care of the Caregiver.

Tell them you appreciate them, and urge them to value and nurture themselves as well. Remind them that taking care of themselves is rational and not selfish. They must take care of themselves to have the internal energy to continue providing care. They will also make better caregivers.

• Offer them a gift certificate as a token of appreciation. Treat them to a massage, facial, or other relaxing treatment.
• Sign them up or purchase tickets to a lesson, movie, art show, festival, workout session, or other local community event.
• Assist them in scheduling their health appointments. Offer to help them locate a medical professional by conducting internet research. 

Help by Raising Awareness and Donating

Raising awareness and supporting caregivers with vital resources and donations can also help make a difference in the lives of family caregivers.

• Use this month to raise awareness about the critical role that family caregivers play. Tell about your personal experience as a caregiver or that of a loved one. You might also share your experiences in an article, blog post, or social media.
• If you are aware of any helpful caregiver resources, don’t forget to share them! Numerous organizations and websites that provide support and information to caregivers are available, so make sure everyone you know is aware of these vital services.
• Donate to an organization that helps and supports caregivers. Your contribution will have a positive impact on caregivers’ lives nationwide.

Donate Today to Support Caregivers!

Caregiving is a demanding task that often leaves the caregivers physically, emotionally, and financially unstable. The least we can do is to try to alleviate some of their burden by supporting them via donations.

November is National Family Caregivers Month! Let’s honor the dedication and sacrifices of the family caregivers who devote their lives and resources to caring for their loved ones! Don’t forget to support them, which you can do by acknowledging their hard work and donating as much as possible: https://www.alzra.org/donate-now/. 

References

1. Care for America’s Caregivers. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-2024/election-issue-family-caregivers.html. Published Online: 8th February, 2024. Accessed: 31st October, 2024.
2. Caregiving Statistics: Health, Technology, and Caregiving Resources. Family Caregiver Alliance. https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregiver-statistics-health-technology-and-caregiving-resources/. Accessed: 31st October, 2024.
3. Honor a Caregiver During National Family Caregivers Month. National Council on Aging. https://www.ncoa.org/article/honor-a-caregiver-during-national-family-caregivers-month/. Published Online: 2nd November, 2022. Accessed: 31st October, 2024. 
4. 5 Ways to Thank & Honor an At-Home Family Caregiver. Fedelta Home Care. https://fedeltahomecare.com/home-care-blog/5-ways-to-thank-honor-an-at-home-family-caregiver/. Accessed: 31st October, 2024.
5. How to Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month. AO Multispeciality Clinic. https://www.aomsc.com/how-to-celebrate-national-family-caregivers-month/. Accessed:  31st October, 2024.
6. National Family Caregivers Month: November 2024. Unseen. https://caregiverdoc.com/national-family-caregivers-month/. Accessed: 31st October, 2024.
7. 5 Ways to Thank a Caregiver on National Caregivers Day. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2023/ways-to-celebrate-national-caregivers-day.html. Updated: 14th February, 2024. Accessed: 31st October, 2024.