Women's Institute For A Secure Retirement

There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.

– Rosalyn Carter

Caregiving is an essential job, but can sometimes be pretty thankless, which is why we want to take this opportunity during National Family Caregivers Month to thank our country’s caregivers for all their hard work and for giving back when a friend or family member needs it most. By being a caregiver, you have made a difference in the lives of those around you and we thank you for all that you do!

The typical family caregiver is a 49-year-old woman caring for her widowed 69-year-old mother who does not live with her. She is married and employed, juggling her family, career, and caregiving responsibilities all at once. This often leaves little time for caregivers to take care of themselves physically and financially. Check out this list of resources we have compiled to support you as a caregiving:

• • Family Caregiver Alliance’s National Center on Caregiving unites research, public policy and services to serve as a central source of information on caregiving and long-term care issues.
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  • The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks out on behalf of the more than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness, disability or frailties due to old age.
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  • Financial Steps for Caregivers publication from WISER helps caregivers get their finances in order with tools to create a budget, tips on talking about caregiving and advice on modifying your career to make time for caregiving.
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  • WISER’s caregiving homepage several fact sheets and links to outside resources that may be helpful to caregivers and their loved ones.
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  • HelpingCaregivers.com is a helpful website that keeps caregivers’ needs in mind and has some great resources for managing your time and emotions.

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For all the family members and friends of caregivers out there, take a moment this Thanksgiving to thank them for all that they do. Also think about how you may be able to step in and lighten the burden every now and again. Here are some helpful tips on how you give back to your family caregiver. As former first lady Carter said, we will all have the opportunity to either be a caregiver or need a caregiver one day, so let’s appreciate them. Thank you caregivers!

November marks the beginning of National Family Caregiver’s Month, giving us the chance to both highlight and celebrate those who give of themselves in order to care for others. Every year 65 million people provide care for a clinically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend. The overwhelming majority of caregivers are females providing unpaid care for loved ones. It is especially important for these women, who often take time out of the workforce, to plan for retirement and manage finances.

This annual celebration was created in order to raise awareness of family caregiving issues with multiple audiences, celebrate the efforts of family caregivers, educate family caregivers about self-identification and to increase overall support for all family caregivers.

This year’s theme is Reach Out For Help, because so often family caregivers take on this responsibility on their own, with little help from other friends and family members. Suzanne Mintz, President of the National Family Caregivers Associations, wants caregivers to know,

“Getting help begins with recognizing that you need it, then asking for it, and accepting it when it is offered. It isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do, but it definitely is a really important one for family caregivers wanting a better quality of life for themselves and their loved ones. Another reason for family caregivers to reach out for help now more than ever is because we are all swimming in rough economic waters. Many programs that have existed at the state and community level have either been cut back or eliminated all together. Family caregivers need volunteer help from their family, friends, and neighbors to ease the burden. The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well. Family caregivers can take advantage of this by reaching out for help with the day-to-day chores of life – making a meal, taking your car in for service, or just picking up a bottle of milk when needed.”

We want all caregivers to know that there are lots of helpful resources out there to make this easier on you.  We’re featuring several  publications and websites on our homepage throughout November.  Be sure to check our facebook page and follow us on twitter for more helpful tips and resources this month!

The White House just released a proclamation from President Bush that officially recognizes November as National Family Caregivers Month! You can read the proclamation below or check it out here:

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 29, 2008

National Family Caregivers Month, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

During National Family Caregivers Month we recognize and celebrate the many individuals throughout our country who work each day to ensure a better quality of life for their family members. Through their selfless action, these caregivers provide their loved ones support and comfort as they age, combat illness, or suffer from disability.

Our Nation is compassionate, and we believe in the sanctity of life at all stages. Through tireless efforts and inspiring deeds, many Americans care for loved ones in need. By acting as in-home care providers, people across our Nation are helping to ensure that their family members are provided with love, comfort, and security. My Administration has worked to offer caregivers support and training. In 2006, I signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006, which established a program to help family caregivers get access to affordable and high-quality respite care. In addition, the National Family Caregiver Support Program encourages cooperation among government agencies and other organizations that support and work with family caregivers.

National Family Caregivers Month is an opportunity to recognize those who serve a cause greater than self and contribute to the well-being of their loved ones. Family caregivers are soldiers in America’s armies of compassion and set an inspiring example for their fellow citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to honor the selfless service of caregivers who support their loved ones in need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH