November is National Family Caregivers Month, a great time to recognize the amazing caregivers who make up the backbone of our society. You provide 75% of the care being provided to older adults. While it is impossible to put a price tag on the gifts you give, according to an AARP report, it is possible to determine that the unpaid value of family caregivers in the United States is approximately 470 billion dollars per year. When you are caring for a family member or friend, you put in not only time and energy, but your heart and soul. Thank you.
Juliette Kershner
In addition to respecting what you are giving, it is important to respect the fact that to sustain well-being, you need care too. Self-care can come in the form of ensuring you get enough sleep, eat well, get daily exercise (even a 10-minute walk), and take time to engage in an activity that truly nurtures you. Along with self-care, there is community provided care, but it takes exercising your self care muscle to reach out for it. In addition to potential support from those in your circle of connection, organizational supports are available for those aging and caregiving in Boulder County. Many caregivers I have spoken with say that the connections made with others in support groups has made all the difference in enabling them to feel good while being stretched. At caregiver training classes and educational events, caregivers learn while they make community connections. From almost everyone who’s hours are filled with caregiving, I have heard that the gift of bringing in help, so they could really take a break, was the best gift they could give to themselves, and thus their care recipients.
If you are a caregiver, please consider adding some care for you, to your days. You are a national treasure, and you deserve it. For more information on any offerings mentioned above, financial assistance programs, to be added to a monthly resource email for caregivers, or to talk about your caregiving journey, please reach out!
~ Juliette Kershner, Caregiver Initiative Coordinator, Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information on BCAAA caregiver services, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org