Ways to Support and Celebrate Caregivers
“Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know possible.”
– Tia Walker
November is National Caregivers Month and we’re shining a light on those who tirelessly bring their gifts to this world in service of others.
Who are the Caregivers in YOUR Neighborhood?
A Caregiver is someone who provides ongoing assistance and support to individuals who need help with daily activities due to:
- Age
- Illness
- Disability
- Or other circumstances and limitations
Caregivers may come in the form of family members, friends, or hired professionals, and are usually wearing a lot of hats! They handle important tasks such as managing medical care, bathing, dressing, handling financial and legal matters, transportation, emotional support, and coordinating social or community services. The list goes on.
In the US, it’s estimated that 53 million people serve as unpaid caregivers for loved ones
(21% of the adult population!).*
In New Hampshire alone, stats show that 170,000 people are unpaid family caregivers and provide an estimated $2.3 billion worth of unpaid care annually.
What you should know about caregivers: Approximately 23% of caregivers report that the responsibilities and stressors of their role have made their health worse, showing the physical and emotional toll that caregiving can take.
Honoring and Recognizing our Caregivers
This month, we want to give a special thank you to those of you who pour into the lives of others day in and day out. We see you, we support you, and we honor you. The work you do is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for the endless patience, compassion, and strength you bring every day. Your work is love in action.
In the words of Edward Albert, “The act of caring is heroic.”
Resources to Support the Caregivers in YOUR Life
Caregivers need care too! You can be a beacon of light for the caregivers in your life by providing them with time for self-care, sharing positive words, and stepping in for emotional or physical support.
Supporting the caregivers in your life can look different, depending on your capacity, ability, and relationship. Here are some ideas and resources we came up with to get you started:
- Offer them a break: Step in and give them time to restore or take care of themselves
- Gift them a service or supportive item: Meal delivery, cleaning, grocery shopping, a gift certificate somewhere that would be helpful, the possibilities are endless
- Be a listening ear: No need to try to “solve” or fix anything, just be there to offer emotional support without judgment
- Celebrate and recognize their efforts: Your positive words go a long way in helping them feel seen, validated, and understood!
- Coordinate the help of others: Enlist family or community support to help where applicable
Please note: We recommend you ask the caregiver if the support you’re considering would be helpful for them. Every situation is uniquely different and some of our preconceived ideas of “helping” may end up having the opposite effect. Be open to their response and don’t press the issue if the time isn’t right for them for what you’re offering.
In closing, here are some resources we gathered for our local community of caregivers:
- The Positively Living Podcast hosted by Lisa Zawrotny “How to Reduce Mental Load as a Parent or Caregiver”
The mental load is the behind-the-scenes work that is necessary to manage our lives and properly care for others. Often we hear about this in the context of moms who are typically the “default parent” but mental load can affect us all. This episode shares tangible ways to reduce the mental load as a parent or caregiver.
- Monadnock at Home | Serving the Monadnock Region
A nonprofit that helps older adults age in place in their own homes. They offer support services like transportation, assistance with household chores, and a volunteer network that caregivers can access to relieve some duties.
- Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services | Keene, NH
HCS offers a range of services for caregivers, including respite care, home health aides, hospice services, and caregiver support groups. They also provide workshops and information sessions to support caregivers.
- Monadnock NAMI Family Caregiver Support Group run by Sharon Stout
Sharon is a compassionate, engaging, positive, and highly dedicated volunteer for NAMI NH in the Keene area. She never misses an opportunity to spread the word about the education, support, and advocacy that NAMI NH can provide. Sharon has been leading the family support group in Keene for more than 10 years.
- Webinar | Why Employers Must Create Caregiver Friendly Workplaces, by the NH Alliance on Healthy Aging
Pathways to Prosperity is a transformative program aimed at highlighting the synergistic benefits of businesses stepping up and taking a proactive leadership role in addressing critical societal issues that affect the workforce and communities around them
Remember this month, as you recognize the vital role caregivers play, let’s come together to support and uplift them in meaningful ways.
Even a simple gesture such as a kind note, a meal, or offering a few hours of respite can have a profound impact on their day. Small acts of kindness build a community that shares the caregiving journey, reminding them they’re not alone.
To our many caregivers: remember, caring for yourself is as important as caring for those you love. Taking moments to recharge is essential and enables you to continue bringing the care, compassion, and strength that only you can provide.
You are invaluable, and our community stands with you.
*Sources include: National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP – Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 Report, AARP Public Policy Institute, Family Caregiver Alliance, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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