National Family Caregivers Month
November is National Family Caregivers Month! This means that it’s time to honor those who provide care across the country, performing a vital role in society and in the lives of those they love. Caregivers are any people that supply physical or emotional care for those who are ill, disabled, or elderly within their home. Family caregivers refers specifically to parents, adult children, spouses, family members, neighbors, and friends that care for loved ones, despite it not being their career.
What Does It Mean to Be a Caregiver?
Being a caregiver is a diverse role, and is often imposed upon individuals without preparation. There are many reasons one may become one. Net of Care lists them as hospitals releasing patients earlier, elderly persons living longer, and a greater abundance of persons living with chronic illnesses. Caregivers become sole caretakers, assisting with the making and feeding of meals, re-managing their household, providing day- and night-long supervision, and supplying on-going emotional support. These providers find themselves performing a number of activities that they weren’t necessarily trained to do as well. This includes medication management and administration, medical equipment maintenance, specialized nutritional planning, and supervision of those with mental impairments.
The Holiday’s Purpose
Every holiday has its purpose, and National Family Caregivers Month is no exception. Celebrating this month allows for awareness, celebration, education, and support.
Awareness
Because family caregivers take on this role in addition to their busy lives, many people outside a family may not recognize the responsibilities associated with it. For instance, a coworker caring for an elderly parent is still seen as a coworker, not as someone with a second job when they get home.
Celebration
In having this holiday, we can bring awareness to those in this position and celebrate their never-ending care, kindness, and hard work.
Education
In addition, it allows for education: what duties caregivers are responsible for, causes of someone becoming a caregiver, and how to be a better one.
Support
Lastly, support for caregivers is more than necessary. This month allows all of us to acknowledge the attendants we know, whether they care for us or someone else. With all the time and energy they put towards supporting another person, this month can be used to lend them a helping hand.
Why We Celebrate
There are many reasons to celebrate family caregivers. For one, their job is challenging and their efforts deserve to be praised. They’re often thrown into this position without warning, training, or payment. A large number of family caregivers give up their personal lives or even careers to allocate support when called upon. It takes bravery and love to accept the roles we do not ask for, and Agility Health is proud to celebrate any and all family caretakers.
This Year’s Theme
This year’s theme for National Family Caregiver Month is “Caregiving Around the Clock.” Care-taking does not stop when someone goes to bed, and assistance can be needed all hours of the night. This year, we especially take time to recognize those that extend care 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
Agility Health’s Caregiving Team
When it comes to in-home health care, Agility Health provides a trustworthy and reliable team. If providing family caregiving is becoming overwhelming, our licensed and compassionate nurses, caregivers, counselors, and coordinators can step in. We care about you and your loved one’s health, needs, and happiness, which is why we offer everything from care management plans to 24-hour home care.
