November was the month to recognize family caregivers. In my humble opinion, it would be terrific to recognize family caregivers – care is a 24/7 job! As we enter into the holiday season, take a minute to think about ways you can support a caregiver ❣️
As the percentage of Americans providing caregiving services to a family member continues to grow, especially among working adults, the national conversation is asking how do we best support them? Today in America, more than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care per the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. That’s an economic value totaling more than $470 billion. It is estimated that by the year 2030, 71.2 million people will have dementia and need a caregiver.
The business of caregiving is unavoidable and a necessary part of our lives. There are moments of tenderness and intimacy, along with hours of backbreaking work and emotional drain. Those who need and those who provide care deserve support.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s famous quote highlights how interictal caregivers are, “There are only four kinds of people in the world — those that have been caregivers, those that are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”
Image by James Chan from Pixabay
Resources for Caregivers in the US
Family Caregiver Alliance:
For more than 40 years, FCA has provided services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Our services include assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers. Ongoing support is available with FCA CareNav™, also now on a digital service platform. FCA is a longtime advocate for caregivers in the areas of policy, health and social system development, research, and public awareness, on the state, national and international levels.
Check out the FCA Impact Report 2022 to learn how we’re working to improve the lives of family caregivers.
National Alliance for Caregiving
The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations who share a vision of a society that values, supports and empowers family caregivers to thrive at home, work and life. Its mission is to build partnerships in research, advocacy, and innovation to make life better for family caregivers.
USAging
USAging represents and supports the national network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocates for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. These programs help older adults and people with disabilities live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) provide direct support to caregivers, primarily through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (Title III E of the Older Americans Act). Services include respite care (temporary supervision of the care recipient to provide rest for the caregiver, which is the most requested service); individual counseling and support groups; caregiver education classes/training; and emergency assistance.
US Department of Health and Human Services
Across HHS, our agencies provide resources for caregivers who take care of an aging, seriously ill, or disabled family member or friend. Learn more about being a caregiver and locate resources:
- Caregivers (MedlinePlus®) Information for caregivers provided by the National Library of Medicine at NIH.
- Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help This consumer portal prototype is being released to help consumers get to the correct resource to solve their Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder insurance coverage issue.
- Proveedor de atención al paciente (MedlinePlus®) Spanish-language information for caregivers provided by the National Library of Medicine at NIH.
- Caregiving (Medicare.gov) Resources, stories, and newsletters about taking care of someone with Medicare.
- Caregiving (National Institutes on Aging) Information on caregiving from the National Institutes on Aging at NIH.
- Caregivers (Administration for Community Living) Help and resources for caregivers from the Administration for Community Living.
- Alzheimers.gov The government’s information resource for people taking care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
- Eldercare Locator (Administration on Aging) A public service connecting you to services for older adults and their families
The Kaiser Health Foundation is hosting a virtual conversation called “Dying Broke” on December 5th. If you’d like to attend, registration is required: Register HERE
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Take Care of You Too
Having your plans in place before you need them is a gift. If you’re a reader, pick up a copy of my book The Living Planner What to Prepare Now While You Are Living © HERE. If you’d prefer a 12 module DIY program: Check it out HERE.
Have any questions? Email me or check out the website @ The Living Planner. The Japanese Proverb “Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still.” has been my manta this week! Take care, ❣️Lynn
#PlanfortheUnplanned