National Family Caregivers Month – celebrated each November – is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country.
Celebrating Family Caregivers during November enables us to:
• Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
• Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
• Educate family caregivers about self-identification
• Increase support for family caregivers
Caregiver Action Network is the organization that chooses the theme for National Family Caregivers Month annually and spearheads celebration of NFC Month nationally.
Caregiver Action Network (the National Family Caregivers Association) began promoting national recognition of family caregivers in 1994. President Clinton signed the first NFC Month Presidential Proclamation in 1997 and every president since has followed suit by issuing an annual proclamation recognizing and honoring family caregivers each November.
Ten Tips for Family Caregivers:
• Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!
• Take care of your health to stay strong enough to take care of your loved one.
• Accept offers of help and tell people what helps when asked.
• Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
• Take respite breaks often.
• Watch for signs of depression and don’t delay getting help.
• Be open to new technologies that can help.
• Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find.
• Make sure legal documents are in order.
Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!