November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. This recognition offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities and increase support for caregivers. In the United States, family caregivers remain the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities.
This year, the theme of National Family Caregivers Month is: #CaregivingHappens. The idea behind the campaign is to reflect a caregiver’s reality that often caregiving just happens. Caregiving happens when we are at work or out of town. Caregiving happens when we are trying to get out the door to go to the grocery store and it happens when we least expect it.
Many caregivers have jobs and care for their own families while providing additional care for a loved one. Facing these challenges and juggling responsibilities often results in failing to prioritize one’s own health and well-being. The extensive demands of caregiving and limited resources can pose negative physical, emotional and financial impacts.
While caregiving can be emotionally rewarding, it is an arduous role that can be difficult to navigate. Coordinated support is needed to ensure quality of life for both caregivers and those for whom they provide care.
To help alleviate caregiving challenges, Community Care Corps grantees implement innovative volunteer models to offer various forms of nonmedical assistance. Approaches such as caregiver education and skills training, respite programs, friendly visiting, care coordination, support groups, home modifications, self-care and relaxation training help caregivers feel reassured that their loved ones are receiving the support they deserve and that caregivers have the time and capacity to care for their own needs.
To read up on the creative ways that Community Care Corps grantees respond to needs in their communities, take a look at their program summaries. To learn more about grantee impact, be sure to check out the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Grantee Snapshots publications.
For more information on National Family Caregivers Month, visit www.caregiveraction.org/caregivinghappens and the ACL website. Join the conversation using #CaregivingHappens.