Every November, the nation comes together to recognize the profound contributions of family caregivers. National Family Caregivers Month (NFC Month) is an annual observance honoring the more than 63 million people in the United States who provide care to loved ones with health needs. Caregiving is an essential thread in the fabric of our communities, and NFC Month ensures that caregivers receive the visibility, respect, and support they deserve.
NFC Month first emerged in 1997 as caregiver advocates pushed for a national observance that acknowledged the emotional, physical, and economic demands placed on families. Caregiver Action Network (CAN), then known as the National Family Caregivers Association, was instrumental in shaping the early recognition and growth of NFC Month, securing the first presidential proclamation, raising public awareness, and elevating caregivers’ voices long before caregiving entered mainstream policy discussions.
Today, NFC Month aligns closely with the goals of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, a landmark federal framework released in 2022 that emphasizes strengthening community-based supports, improving resource access, and making caregiving a national priority. These core ideas are deeply embedded in the evolution and purpose of NFC Month.
Let’s reflect on the importance of NFC Month and how CAN leverages this month to raise awareness on the needs and experiences of all family caregivers.
Let’s talk about this year’s NFC Month and the theme, “Plug-in to Care.”
This theme encouraged caregivers and communities to:
- Plug- in to resources that make caregiving easier
- Plug-in to education that builds confidence and skills
- Plug-in to community so caregivers never feel alone
- Plug-in to support systems that sustain wellbeing
The theme mirrors the core values of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, which highlights the critical importance of community-connected resources, culturally responsive support, and coordinated care systems that help caregivers maintain their own health while supporting the person they love.
This year brought new tools and opportunities to engage with National Family Caregivers Month:
- A central home for graphics, messaging, awareness materials, and planning tools
The National Family Caregivers Month Webinar Series
- A free month-long lineup of virtual events offering practical guidance, emotional support, and insights from national partners and caregiving experts.
These resources made it easier than ever for caregivers, organizations, and volunteers to “Plug-In to Care.”
While NFC Month offers national visibility, Community Care Corps turns that awareness into local action.
Community Care Corps funds and supports community-based programs that connect trained volunteers with:
- Family caregivers
- Older adults
- Adults with disabilities
Volunteers offer nonmedical assistance such as:
- Respite
- Transportation
- Errands and shopping
- Light household help
- Social connection and companionship
These services are particularly vital for caregivers supporting loved ones in rural or underserved areas, something I deeply understand from my own caregiving experience. Community Care Corps help caregivers plug into real-world support, reducing stress and strengthening both independence and quality of life for those receiving care. We’re so grateful for the support of many past and present grantees in sharing content from our social media toolkits on their social media channels.
CAN is honored to serve as part of the Community Care Corps leadership team. As a national caregiver organization, we know that caregivers need practical, immediate, and culturally responsive support. Through Community Care Corps, we help:
- Strengthen volunteer programs across the country
- Expand access to nonmedical assistance
- Support caregivers in rural, suburban, and urban communities
- Advance the vision of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
- Ensure caregiver voices shape community solutions
Our partnership embodies our shared belief that caregivers should never have to navigate this journey alone.
As someone who is a long-distance caregiver myself, NFC Month holds special meaning for me. My mom lives with COPD and lung cancer in a very rural area, and I navigate caregiving from hundreds of miles away. I know firsthand how essential it is for older adults and adults with disabilities, especially those living far from major services, to have strong, community-based supports that allow them to remain safely and comfortably in their homes.
Community programs, volunteer networks, and care-focused resources aren’t abstract concepts to me. They are the difference between isolation and connection, between stress and stability, between worry and peace of mind. That personal understanding fuels my passion for this work and strengthens my commitment to ensuring caregivers everywhere can access the support they need.
Every November, we invite everyone to recognize the extraordinary people caring for loved ones every day. National Family Caregivers Month encourages all of us to Plug-In to Care to share resources, strengthen communities, uplift caregiver voices, and celebrate the compassion that defines caregiving at its core.
Explore the full set of tools, webinars, and resources available at NFCMonth.org, and join us in building stronger, more connected caregiving communities nationwide year-round.
