Care for your Caregiver

2/19/2016 (Permalink)

Care for the Caregivers

Over 50 million Americans are providing care to a family member. The value of these services, provided by family members caring for loved ones, is estimated to be $306 billion annually.  We recognize these unsung heroes during National Family Caregiver Day

Sponsored each year by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), focuses on the challenges facing family caregivers. Family caregivers provide a wide range of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily or intermittent basis. While some family caregivers provide 24/7 care for loved ones who require assistance for all daily living activities, others may provide care on a part-time basis. Family caregiving can extend for a few years or a lifetime.

It’s time to thank, support, educate, and celebrate family caregivers who are America’s primary long-term care providers. Families or friends provide Eighty percent of long-term care. 

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate National Family Caregivers Day 

Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with friends, or simply relax.

Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver’s day. Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregivers through the month of November.

Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards.

Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite funny movie to view, or provide them with a book on tape.

 Find 12 different photos of the caregiver’s family and friends. Have a copy center create a 2008 calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments and events.

Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.

Take a few minutes to write a letter. Encourage your faith community to ask for prayers not only for those who are ill, but also those who care for them.

Encourage family caregivers to become a part of the National Family Caregiver Story Project. It’s a great place to not only share but read about others in like situations.

Help a family caregiver find new educational materials and support through family caregiving web sites or by calling local social service agencies for help. 

Visit the National Family Caregiver Association website to learn more about National Family Caregiving Day and for additional resources and information.

Here is a fun craft to complete for your special caregiver:

Materials Needed:

Heart Hand Warmers Tutorial: