The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month with the gift of time
Since 2015, November has been marked as National Family Caregivers Month and is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. It offers an opportunity to raise awareness for caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers everywhere. These are the unsung heroes who aren’t often celebrated for their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their loved ones.
According to a report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), the pool of family caregivers is getting younger, with 58% falling into either the Gen-X, Millennial or Gen-Z age groups, while 61% are women. Sixtyone percent of family caregivers responded that they work outside the home while also caring for a family member; many also have children.
Keep in mind, the need for caregiving has grown exponentially. The AARP says that 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every single day through the year 2030, and thanks to modern medical advancements, these older adults are living longer.
For many, this means enjoying fulfilling lives into their later years; however, they may require assistance with activities of daily living. To meet the demand, the number of family caregivers grew to 53 million in 2020, up almost ten million from 2015.
Caring for a loved one is a heroic act — one that can be challenging, especially if an individual has multiple roles such as working full time and parenting their own children, or if they are a fair distance from the person needing care. In these instances, hiring a professional caregiver may be something worth considering.
Organizations like Griswold Home Care offer families full or part-time caregiving and respite support by compassionate caregivers who understand the hardships of caring for a loved one. The goal is to give you peace of mind that your senior friend or family member is getting the care they deserve, when you aren’t able to be there.
As we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month, there are several ways to show your appreciation to a family caregiver, especially as we head into this festive but busy time of year.
Part-time caregiver support and respite care, which can be scheduled for a few hours or a few days, offers family caregivers the opportunity to rest and recharge. This gift — the gift of time — is one of the most valuable signs of appreciation you can offer a family caregiver.
As you reflect upon the compassion and care extended by those tireless family members who support your family’s loved ones day in and day out, know that there is always help available through organizations like Griswold
Home Care. Because your family caregivers deserve time to take care of themselves, too.
About Griswold Home Care: With 168 locations in 29 states, Griswold Home Care is one of the country’s top home care companies, delivering compassionate care 24/7 to its clients. Its purpose is to give people the help they need to live in the place they love. Through this purpose, Griswold Home Care helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age or onset of illness through services, including companion care, home services, personal care and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions.
For more information, visit www.griswoldhomecare.com or call 877-268-3277.