A Month to Care About Those Who Care

A Month to Care About Those Who Care

National Family Caregivers Month is all about appreciating the efforts of those who provide both physical care and emotional support for disabled family members.

In 2015, the theme for the month was "RESPITE," an acronym that stands for Rest, Energize, Sleep, Programs that can help you, Imagination, Take five, and Exhale. All of the points in the acronym encouraged caregivers to look after their own well-being so they could be as effective at caring for others as possible. Other past National Caregivers Months have followed similar themes.

2016's Theme — "Take Care to Give Care"

The theme for National Family Caregivers Month in 2016 is "Take Care to Give Care." The theme calls attention to the fact that caregivers are at a greater risk for health problems than non-caregivers, often because of the heavy emotional and physical demands of caregiving. Caregivers should take the time to step back, take a deep breath, and evaluate how they can better care for themselves. By managing stress, eating a healthful diet, and taking the time to rest, caregivers can fortify themselves to provide the best care possible.

If you're a caregiver, November is an excellent time to think about your own role in your loved one's life. Helping your family member is a privilege, but there are some situations in which it is better to look into exploring senior care options for the person you're caring for. This may be difficult to discuss with the subject of your care, but in the end it could provide relief for everyone involved.

Ways to Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month

If you're not a caregiver, but someone in your family is, you can have a big part in making National Family Caregivers Month a success. Here are some easy ways to show how much you appreciate the caregiver's work:

• Offer to help out with caregiving duties, even if it is only for a few hours on the weekend. The caregiver will be able to get away, spend time with friends, or simply relax.

• Send a small gift and a card to the caregiver. Everyone loves to have flowers delivered to their door!

• Raise awareness of National Family Caregivers Month in your community. You can ask local businesses to post information about the month, and you can even encourage the businesses to offer free services or discounts to caregivers.

• Tell the caregiver about the National Family Caregiver Story Project, a place where caregivers can share their stories and read the stories of other caregivers.

• Help the caregiver find online resources and local support groups so he or she can have a constant stream of encouragement and new ideas for making the best out of their situation.

National Family Caregivers Month isn't what comes to most people's minds when they think about November, but remembering the caregivers among us is important. How will you show the caregivers in your family that you appreciate them?