Celebrating You!
November is the month that, for nearly three decades, we have celebrated the nation’s family caregivers — that’s you.
Dear Caregivers,
November is the month that, for nearly three decades, we have celebrated the nation’s family caregivers — that’s you. The National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country.
First, congratulations, and thank you for all you do throughout the year! And secondly, thank you for being our partners. It’s through your engagement and feedback that we are able to create a NAN program that helps scores of caregivers in their efforts, and I personally want to thank you for that! I also want to take this opportunity to re-pledge NAN’s commitment to support, advise, and help you in any way we can.
We are your dedicated partners in this journey, and we want you to be secure in the knowledge that we’re here for you, whenever you need us.
In the spirit of this month, here are Ten Tips for Family Caregivers, which are drawn from the Caregiver Action Network, the organization that spearheads the celebration of National Family Caregivers Month nationally:
Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!
Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.
Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
Watch out for signs of depression and don't delay getting professional help when you need it.
Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
Organize medical information so it's up to date and easy to find.
Make sure legal documents are in order.
Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!
Here are some other ways you can embrace your role as a family caregiver:
I'm a Family Caregiver. Now What?
Many caregivers are thrust into their role suddenly, and their reaction to this stressful situation is likely to be a wave of powerful emotions followed by the question, “Now, what do I do?” No matter what illness you and your loved one are facing, planning ahead can increase your knowledge and understanding, and will often allow for a wider range of care options and provide an overall peace of mind for everyone. Click here to learn more about taking the next steps as a Caregiver.
Caregivers' Lessons to Live By:
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be a deeply rewarding experience, but it also can be extremely frustrating at times. The key to staying calm during these stressful times is understanding that your caregiving role in this effort is to be a partner, not a judge, as you and your loved one cope with this disease. Here are the “10 Commandments of Caregiving” ― important lessons to live by in your caregiving efforts.
Find the Joy in Your Caregiving Role:
The challenge that family caregivers face is to learn acceptance, to live in the present moment, and to let go of things you cannot control. This is a challenge to be sure, but if there can be any joy in caregiving, this is where it is. Here’s how to find that joy.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“We rise by lifting others.”
— Robert Ingersoll
