Celebrating Family Caregiver Month

Caregivers are the backgone of America´s long-term care system, and sometimes they need a little help.

November is National Family Caregiver Month.  Today, the White House issued its traditional proclamation, this year focusing on caregiver support being at the heart of the Obama Administration´s efforts to assist families.  Every day, family caregivers assist loved ones with tasks ranging from personal care and homemaking, to transportation and financial assistance.  They are the backbone of America´s long-term care system, and sometimes they need a little help.  At Sunshine Help, they often find the caring, capable eldercare service providers they need for a respite from their caregiving duties.  Here, they can find postings from eldercare service providers who can cook, clean, shop, or perform personal care services such as bathing and feeding.  Sometimes, all that is needed is someone to simply be a companion for an elder person while the family member takes some time to attend to other things going on in his or her life.

When President Obama proclaimed November as National Family Caregivers Month, he  encouraged all Americans to pay tribute and support those who are caring for their family members, friends, and neighbors in need of assistance.  Every day, in every state and community, caregivers assist friends, relatives, and loved ones with daily tasks, including personal care and homemaking.  The National Family Caregiver Support Program and the recent implementation of the Lifespan Respite Care Program are steps to ensure that caregivers are supported in their daily efforts to keep their loved ones at home, in the community and avoid more costly and restrictive institutional settings. Every state has an Aging and Disability Resource Center, where authority is usually delegated to the counties to sponsor services, resources and information.  Google “Aging Resource Center” and the county where you live to find the information that is right for your needs.

Can´t wait for the Census figures – the government´s efforts to obtain an accurate count of the nation´s residents.  We know from the 2000 Census  that one in every eight Americans – about 12% of the U.S. population – was over 65.  They are estimating that this census will reveal a staggering number of Americans reaching retirement age – nearly 10,000 Americans will turn age 65 every day.   We all have roles to play in the graying of America, and we at Sunshine Help see our role as helping identify capable caregivers to help families successfully meet their work and household responsibilities.

Our warmest wishes for  the caregivers of America.

Regards from Sandra and the Sunshine Help staff.

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