This November, join Mellie in celebrating National Family Caregivers Month - a time to recognize and and support the over 53 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to family, friends, and neighbors. Caregivers juggle multiple responsibilities, including taking care of an older adult, looking after children, managing work commitments, and tending to their personal lives, all while coping with the emotional challenges that accompany caregiving for a loved one.
Even if you aren't currently a caregiver, chances are you might have been one in the past or could become one in the future. And it's also almost certain that you know someone who is a caregiver, so together, let’s raise awareness about the unique role of caregiving.
This year, the theme for National Family Caregivers Month is #CaregiversConnect and emphasizes not only the importance of connecting with people; but also the value of connecting with information. Through these connections, we both give and receive support. Whether it's bonding with the person we are caring for, engaging with our family members and friends, connecting with fellow caregivers, or tapping into valuable resources and information, these interactions play a crucial role in our caregiving journey.
Whether you are a caregiver or someone wanting to support a caregiver, here are 4 ways you can connect:
Share your caregiving experience and inquire about others’ roles. This is a way to raise awareness, identify caregivers, and share knowledge. Talk about your caregiving role with your friends, family, and co-workers and ask them about their loved ones and the challenges they may be facing.
Reach out to others for support and check-in with caregivers to see how they are doing. Support comes in a variety of forms including support groups, counseling, talking to an elder care expert, and discussing your caregiving role with your HR team or manager.
Get information for yourself or for someone you know in a caregiving role. There are many resources that can ease the challenges related to caregiving, but most people are not familiar with what is available. Talk with an elder care professional or other caregivers to learn about local resources that could be helpful. A good starting place is Mellie’s Elder Care Preparation Checklist.
Spend some quality time with your loved one or offer to help out a caregiver. Caregivers often get caught up in their day-to-day tasks and neglect spending time socializing with their loved one. Take the time to do something with your loved one that they enjoy, such as these simple activities. Offer to run an errand or do a chore for a caregiver to give them a little break from caregiving.
Mellie believes that caregivers deserve to be recognized every day, not just during National Family Caregivers Month. That is why our mission is to enable family caregivers to provide the best care and support to their loved ones.
Contact us to learn more ways to connect as a caregiver and how you can support family caregivers.