Honoring Our Caregivers

November is National Family Caregiver Awareness Month

In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the first Family Caregiver Awareness Proclamation. Every president since that time has followed his lead, by issuing an annual proclamation each November to recognize and honor caregivers across the country. The following is a quote from President Obama’s 2015 Proclamation:
“Day in and day out, selfless and loving Americans provide care and support to family members and friends in need. They are parents, spouses, children, siblings, relatives and neighbors who uphold their unwavering commitment to ensure the lives of their loved ones shine bright with health, safety and dignity. During National Family Caregivers Month, we rededicate ourselves to making sure our selfless caregivers have the support they need to maintain their own well being and that of those they love.”
According to the Caregiver Action Network (CAN) there are over 40 million Americans who serve as primary caregivers. I would expect this number to increase due to the tremendous medical advances allowing persons to live longer, which also increases the need for caregivers. According to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, statistics show the gap in numbers between those who will need caregiving and those who will be available to provide care is alarming.
As a former caregiver, I can attest that caring for a loved one can be rewarding, tough and demanding. For some, caregiving can be a 24/7 responsibility, which can crowd out other important aspects of life. Statistics state six out of 10 family caregivers work full or part time, in addition to handling caregiving responsibilities at home. Some lawmakers are urging congress to act on the “Credit for Caring Act,” which is proposed legislation to create a federal, nonrefundable tax credit of up to $3,000 for family caregivers who work while also financially helping their parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities.

The 2018 awareness theme is “Supercharge Your Caregiving.” Using this theme Caregiving Action Network encourages caregivers to utilize the following technology tools to help balance work and home.

• Wearing sensors can monitor your loved one and notify you in the event of a fall or if an emergency occurs. Smart homes and Smart locks can relieve some worry as well.
• Use on-line patient portals to access patients’ medical and insurance records when needed.
• Use of tech tools to manage medications is an easy way to track meds, which can make this important task less stressful.
• There are many online apps that can do various things such as check vital signs, locate your loved one with a GPS if they wander off, setup healthy eating plans, connect with caregiver support groups or other sites that provide a myriad of information.

It is my mission to honor and encourage caregivers not only during the month of November, but continually. Caregiving is overwhelming and you can’t do it all by yourself. Learn about your loved one’s illness so you know what to expect; consult an attorney concerning legal issues; attend support groups or participate on line; know that it is okay when you get angry and frustrated. Seek information, “Information is Power”, the more information you have, the better decisions you will make.

There is not any caregiving situations the same, but there’s one common thread among the many former and present caregivers that I have had the honor of meeting, and that is not taking good care of one’s self as well as their loved one. Remember that caregiving is rewarding but stressful. Even the strongest people will become strained. I can remember having an extremely stressful day when I finally gave in and made time to attend a support group. Feeling guilty, overwhelmed and wanting to scream, I pushed my way into the meeting. I sat there listening to others share their situations, thinking, wow. I feel like that. I have experienced that. Feelings of relief began to flood my heart. At that time, knowing I wasn’t alone was what I needed. Over a period of time stress will harm your health. Make sure you keep your own doctor appointments and again seek all help, especially for essential respite time.

I thank God for the phenomenal caregivers that have crossed my path, during and after I served as a primary caregiver. I thank them for the many ways they touched my life. I honor caregivers across our nation for who they are and what they do. I encourage them to share their story. “Pay it forward,” as quoted from Shanna Flowers book, The Beauty of the But: And other musings of God’s Goodness. She states, “II Corinthians 1:3-4 tells Christians that God comforts us so that we can comfort others…He wants us to pay it forward…God doesn’t want our experience to be wasted.”

If you know a caregiver, honor them with your appreciation and love. If possible give them the much needed gift of time. I end with the famous caregiver quote from First Lady Rosalynn Carter: “You will need one, Be One or Both.”

By Triquita Triles