In the last week, I have hosted a dinner for a friend and her husband with Alzheimer’s disease, talked to a contractor about his sister with mobility challenges due to multiple sclerosis, was inspired by a friend overcoming his own health condition to care for his wife, and talked to several women on how they supported each other to manage life alone through retirement years.
And none of that had anything to do with my work. Except it did.
One of the most fulfilling things about working at Area Agency on Aging is simply that it’s about life – maximizing quality of life. The work is relevant to every one of us.
By presidential proclamation since 1997, November has been National Caregivers Month. It’s a time to recognize and honor the work of caregivers and the richness of interdependence.
If you care about people, you either are, have been or will be involved in caregiving. It’s pretty much inevitable.
The wide range of service and support provided by paid and unpaid caregivers, such as transportation, food preparation, housekeeping and personal care, is key for others to live with dignity and independence. Often, family or friends who help regularly don’t identify as caregivers, they consider the help they provide as something you just do for someone you care about.
The Caregiver Action Network estimates there are more than 90 million Americans caring for loved ones of all ages dealing with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease or general frailty. When we think about our general propensity to help friends, neighbors and family, I’d guess the number is much higher.
In a recent Campus for Creative Aging event featuring discussions with couples where one had dementia, they described the relationship more as a care partnership than a single caregiver. Working together they became a team, each accommodating the other for success. Accommodation of change takes trust and partnership.
It also can be stressful. While most look back on time caring for others as rich, providing care also takes a toll – emotionally, physically and financially.
November is a time to honor this work, say thanks, and provide support. If you work with, or have contact with, a paid caregiver in the home, in a hospital, nursing home or other setting, thank them for their work. It’s an honored profession. Their efforts are truly invaluable.
If you are a caregiver or care partner, know there are tools out there to make life easier. The National Family Caregiver Alliance has an online list of the top 17 resources for family caregivers. Available in multiple languages, it provides answers to questions about care planning, specific health conditions, daily care activities and more. Check it out at www.caregiver.org/top17.
Closer to home, the Campus for Creative Aging offers a virtual, no-cost Caregiver Support Group hosted in conjunction with Caring Circle every third Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. The next one is Nov. 16. Check it out at campusforcreativeaging.org, and click on Classes.
Know that AAA’s Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810 is always your connection to local resources.
Want to know about resources in another part of the state or country? Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 to connect with AAA’s counterpart elsewhere.
November is a time of gratitude. Tell a caregiver you know how much they are appreciated.