National Family Caregivers Month
The end of the year is rapidly approaching, and the season of Thanksgiving is near. This is particularly the time to give thanks and spend with family and loved ones. It is a time to gather, reflect and share experiences. Furthermore, November is recognized as National Family Caregivers month to honor family caregivers, educate the community and increase support for caregivers.
Men and women are living longer due to healthier lifestyles, better engagement as health care consumers and are better educated with their health care. The U.S. Census Bureau (2020) estimates the number of people 65-year-old and over has rapidly grown. The number of Baby Boomers, those born between 1946-1964, grew over one-third (34.2%) over the past decade and by 3.2% between 2018-2019. The growth of this population resulted in the national median age increasing from 37.2 years in 2010 to 38.4 in 2019. As a result, Generation X or those approaching middle-age are now responsible for caring for aging parents or extended family members who have co-morbidities or disabilities.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (2021), families are the main support in providing care for older adults and people with disabilities. What happens when the caregiver needs care? The National Institute on Aging defines respite care as period of short-term relief from caregiving (2017). Respite care is important and necessary in order to rejuvenate physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. It allows time for self-care, which is care that involves any activity or process dedicated to oneself. It may be a movie night, manicure or pedicure or a walk on the beach. It is time dedicated away from the typical care giving duties.
Remember to take time to incorporate self-care and self-love. Family and loved ones will reap the benefits from caregivers maintaining their physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health.
For further education and social media integration, listed below are links/hashtags for caregiver support.
www.nia.nih.gov #caregivers #alzheimersawareness #elderlycare #agingparents#homehealthcare
References:
NIH National Institute of Aging (NIA) (2017). What is Respite Care? Retrieved from http://www.nianih.gov
U.S. Census Bureau (June 2020). 65 Year Old and Over Population Grows Rapidly As Baby Boomers Age. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (October 2021). National Family Caregivers Month. Retrieved from http://www.acl.gov
