Each November we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM), a month where we celebrate the vital work that family caregivers do. We dedicate this month to honor the efforts and sacrifices they make to care for our loved ones.
It is also a time to raise awareness about the challenges they face on a daily basis and provide more functional resources to help them with their work and self-care. In addition, NFCM seeks to dignify their work by educating and sensitizing society about the fundamental role they play in long-term care.
The national celebration is led by Caregiver Action Network (CAN), a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support and resources to family caregivers. CAN selected the 2022 theme, #CaregivingHappens, to bring visibility to the reality that family caregiving is not always convenient or expected.
Families are the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities in the United States, which is why most caregivers are family members themselves. Many of these caregivers balance their personal lives with their caregiving duties, experiencing conflicts even in their work life because of the duty of taking care of a loved one. Caregiving has been proven to cause significant emotional, physical and financial tolls. NFCM is a time to promote programs and networks that support and empower family caregivers.
President Joe Biden issued a proclamation in connection with the celebration of Family Caregivers Month and stated that, “During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize the love and sacrifice of more than 50 million Americans providing crucial care and medical assistance to parents, children, siblings, and other loved ones, ensuring their health and dignity.” He added that, “family caregivers are the backbone of our Nation’s long-term care system, doing essential work with devotion, often at great emotional and financial cost”.
It’s important that we as a society value the work and effort caregivers make every day to ensure the well-being of their loved ones. As President Biden said, we truly “owe” the more than 50 million Americans who provide care every day. It is our duty as a society to ensure that caregivers have happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Efforts are currently being developed at a national level to meet this goal, such as the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Family Caregiver Support Strategy which implements more than 350 federally-led actions to support the health, well-being and financial security of family caregivers.
In addition, the American Rescue Plan is also available, which supports the administration of the National Family Caregiver Support Program and provides counseling, training and short-term assistance to family and other informal caregivers. Furthermore, other efforts are being undertaken by other organizations such as NHCOA, local communities and within congress.
During National Family Caregivers Month, we want to reflect and celebrate the diversity of family caregivers. At NHCOA, we recognize that diversity is inherent in caregiving, and that our Latino communities face unique challenges due to their social conditions. It is critical to create solutions tailored to their needs and concerns. It is our duty to accompany them in their struggle and continue to advocate for their well-being.
Caregivers need us. We fight for their rights alongside other organizations, institutions and stakeholders who raise their voices and work every day to give visibility to the work of caregivers.
#CaregiversMatter
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