November is National Family Caregivers Month

As we approach the holiday season, there is much to prepare for - readying the house for guests, decorating, traveling, baking, cooking, shopping and wrapping gifts.  For the estimated 65 million caregivers, these yearly tasks may seem impossible. Their days are already filled with managing their own lives, plus the life of the person they are caring for. Add to this the stress of the holidays, and some caregivers may find themselves at their breaking point.  

Being a caregiver is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, job that does not come with vacation, sick or personal time. The person being cared for may need assistance at all hours of the day, no matter rain, snow, shine, or the previously scheduled plans of the caregiver.  

National Family Caregivers Month - observed every November - is a nationally recognized month that seeks to draw attention to the many challenges facing family caregivers, advocate for stronger public policy to address family care giving issues, and raise awareness about community programs that support family caregivers.

During National Family Caregivers Month, reach out to a family caregiver you know, whether a neighbor, relative, co-worker, or friend and offer them a helping hand. Be specific - offer a ride to church, a nourishing meal, or a free afternoon. Just a little bit of help makes a big difference for family caregivers.

If you are a caregiver, take time for yourself, even just 10 minutes a few times a week, to rejuvenate and refresh yourself - read a chapter in a good book, take a quick walk or enjoy a television show.  Taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do on the path of taking care of someone else.

For more information on support services for caregivers, including the Caregivers Supporting Caregivers Group, please contact Stacy Lockwood-Hall at the Cattaraugus County Department of Aging at (716) 373-8032 or 1-800-462-2901.