CAREGIVING HEROES: EVERY FAMILY HAS THEM
Caregivers are unsung heroes, providing support to millions of older adults in communities across America. The SCAN Foundation — a Long Beach-based nonprofit focused on improving the lives of older adults and their families — celebrates caregivers at the 2020 Rose Parade® presented by Honda.
The SCAN Foundation will host a float titled “Hope’s Heroes: Honoring Caregivers of All Generations,” which will recognize their contributions and inspire conversations about what people want for their own aging experience. Caregivers are not a “one size fits all” group. Take three of the eight unique individuals riding on this float:
Laura, a Baby Boomer, cared for her mom while pursuing a busy professional life as dean of a medical school.
Craig, a Millennial, helps his dad with his prescriptions and takes him to ball games while being a dad himself.
Cooper, GenZ, played cards with a neighbor in her 90s instead of playing video games with his friends.
People don’t usually identify as caregivers, but they’re everywhere. More than 41 million Americans of all ages, backgrounds and cultures provide care to loved ones aged 18 and older with daily living
challenges — that’s one in six of us! One in three Millennials is a caregiver, and another third say they will be supporting an older loved one in the next five years. With the number of older adults doubling by 2040, millions more people will become caregivers to family members, close friends and neighbors: the people who matter most.
Since caregiving will affect nearly everyone at some point in their lives, here are three things you can do today: KNOW you are not alone, GROW a circle of support and SHOW strength by asking for help. We’re all in this together.
The Rose Parade provides national visibility and appreciation for people who offer hope and care every day — including Laura, Craig and Cooper. These caregivers say their experiences have shaped what they want for themselves as they grow older.
Join The SCAN Foundation in celebrating the caregiving heroes in your life. Visit honoringallcaregivers.org and share your story today.