by Lynn
Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership
November is
National Family Caregivers Month, and one way to recognize those who give so
much of themselves is to simply acknowledge the great job they’re doing.
National
Family Caregivers Month began as a celebration during the week of Thanksgiving
1997 and has since grown into an annual, month-long acknowledgement and
celebration of family caregivers. President Barack Obama signed a proclamation
on Nov. 1, 2012, that reads in part, “I encourage all Americans to pay tribute
to those who provide for the health and well-being of their family members,
friends, and neighbors.”
Until you
find yourself caring for an elderly loved one, it’s difficult to imagine how
much responsibility it can be. Family caregivers’ responsibilities can include
everything from meal preparation and housekeeping, to medication and wound
care, to transportation and financial planning.
Caregiving is
a labor of love for many, but there are things you can say to family caregivers
to be helpful and make them feel appreciated.
1. Simply
telling a caregiver she’s doing a fantastic job can go a long way. Writing it
in a note with a small gift, such as a gift certificate to go out and enjoy a
meal, makes it unforgettable.
2.
Recognizing what a caregiver is doing is a work of love, and that person is
lucky to have him, is sometimes all that’s needed to keep him going.
3. Asking if
there’s anything a caregiver needs makes her feel she’s being cared for in
return. Mowing a lawn, bringing dinner, cleaning her house, walking her dog, or
sitting with a loved one so she can spend time with her spouse or children are
ways to help.
4. Asking a
caregiver how he is doing — instead of just asking about the person being cared
for — is a great way to offer support.
5. Giving a
caregiver “permission” to take care of her own needs without guilt can help
relieve stress.
6. Passing
along helpful resources will remind a caregiver someone is thinking of her.
7.
Distracting a caregiver by sharing a humorous story and laughing together can
help relieve stress, promote relaxation and boost energy.
8. Simply
telling a caregiver you’re thinking of him can be encouraging.
9. Regardless
of the message, most caregivers agree that an e-mail or Facebook message will
never replace a visit, phone call or card in the mail.
10. Sometimes
just listening, without saying anything at all, is what a caregiver needs.
More than 65
million Americans care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities,
disease or the frailties of old age, according to the Caregiver Action Network,
formerly the National Family Caregivers Association. Caregivers of people who
are 70 years or older can seek support through the Administration on Aging’s
National Family Caregiver Support Program.
For more
information on caregiving issues, visit The CareGiver Partnership’s Caregiver Resource Library or blog, or call 1-800-985-1353 for one-on-one personal
attention.
About The
CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their
loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information
about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of
Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web
site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most
important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to
prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for
incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The
CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wis. Visit
http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353. Help
support this ad-free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two
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