Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Give thanks for caregivers this Thanksgiving holiday
President Bill Clinton officially proclaimed November as National Family Caregivers Month in 1997. How fitting that it takes place during the same month we celebrate Thanksgiving.
Celebrated each November, NFCM is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. It offers opportunities to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities and increase support for caregivers.
All caregivers are valuable. During the pandemic, we have seen doctors, nurses, EMTs and other medical professionals in an amplified, more-appreciated light. They have been overworked, and some are giving up their respective jobs due to burnout, added stress and low pay.
But I would like to concentrate on the family caregiver, a role that is familiar to me because, for over 16 years, I have lived it.
The Family Caregiver Alliance defines an “informal caregiver” as an unpaid individual (a spouse, partner, family member, friend or neighbor) involved in assisting others with activities of daily living and/or medical tasks.
I take my role as the family caregiver seriously. As I cared for my mother for nine years, I watched Alzheimer’s and Sundown Syndrome turn her into someone I didn’t recognize. After she died, I thought I would have a few years reprieve before having to dive into caring for Dad. I was wrong. I’ve been his caregiver for seven years now.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP in their Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 report, more than one in five Americans are family caregivers. It’s unfortunate that the same report found that these caregivers are in worse health than when the last report was conducted in 2015.
As I get older and my own health challenges kick in, I wonder “Who cares for the caregiver?” Not everyone has the help of a sibling. Not everyone can afford to pay someone. Even if your finances “look” like you should be able to, truth is, we are living in hard times. Not everyone can take a needed respite. Many caregivers try to juggle full-time jobs along with full-time caregiving. Caregiving can become an expensive journey. It can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being.
The report adds that “Most African Americans work while caregiving, for 37.5 hours per week.” Working while caring for a loved one means going to work late, leaving early or having to take time away from the office. This causes an immense financial difficulty. It is more evident for this group than non-Hispanic, white or Asian caregivers. Employers can relieve some of the caregiver’s stress by being more sensitive.
Caregiving is not a one-size-fits-all model. One family might see sending a family member to an assisted living or nursing home as the solution. Meanwhile, another family, because of their cultural beliefs, would be offended at the suggestion.
Do you know a caregiver? Give the gift of donating some respite time. Give them a gift certificate for a massage or just ask them, “What can I help you with today?”
The bottom line is this: We need your support to continue running the caregiver race. The population is living longer, which means our loved ones are living longer and will need help. So will the caregiver.