Labors of Love
Dear Caregivers,
The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5th,1882 in New York City, where about 20,000 people marched up Broadway and carried banners reading “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for recreation!" Soon other parts of the U.S. joined in the celebration, and in 1894, Congress made Labor Day a national holiday.
Nowadays, with factory unions in decline, the development of robotics and AI, and a rise of the so-called “gig economy,” the concept of labor isn’t the same as it was decades ago. Nevertheless, we all seem to be working harder these days.
This is particularly true for caregivers. Caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia work as much as 40 hours a week caring for their loved one, nearly 30% more time than caregivers tending to people who do not have dementia. A 2019 study found that family caregivers provided more than 18 billion hours of unpaid care to loved ones with dementia, and a 2023 study estimated that the unpaid hours caring for loved ones with dementia could be valued at $346 billion.
So, I hope that as we celebrated Labor Day, you took pride in the fact that you provide a critical, and substantial, part of the world’s labor force. And I hope, too, that you can feel satisfaction about your Herculean efforts. It’s true that caregivers are typically unpaid, but theirs is a “labor of love,” and most caregivers wouldn't put a price on their efforts.
Here’s some more guidance on the labors of caregiving:
Facing the Grief of Caregiving:
It is common for family caregivers helping a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease to feel a profound sense of grief for all that is lost to this disease. Loss of interest in activities we previously found rewarding and enjoyable are lessened or no longer enjoyable. This is often seen in depression but can also be attributed to a profound loss. Here’s how to cope.
Setting Boundaries as a Caregiver:
As a caregiver, it is essential that you remain committed to your personal boundaries, making sure that you give yourself time and space to address your personal needs for rest, relaxation, and fulfillment. This foundation for positive self-care is vital in improving your well-being. Here’s how to do it.
Finding the Joy as a Family Caregiver:
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.
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
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
