Family caregivers are faced with unique challenges of balancing their individual home life with caring for additional family members. Whether simply checking on a loved one in a structured facility, providing total care for someone living in the same home, or somewhere in between, additional stress is faced. This additional stress can affect one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. It is vital that the caregivers be acknowledged and assisted in their efforts. “Family caregivers…are, in many ways, the backbone of the long-term caregiving system.
They provide and coordinate the resources required for the day to day functioning of the care recipient…Because of the tasks and responsibilities that caregiving entails, it is not surprising that it creates significant stress…Physical symptoms resulting from caregiving, such as high blood pressure and a weak immune system, are leading causes of mortality among family caregivers.” (Gopalan, Brannon, The Journal of Psychology, 2006). A demonstration of appreciation for these selfless people is vital for their motivation to continue in these tasks.
November is a perfect time to express this appreciation and honor those who are “living in the trenches” of caregiving every day. In particular, the week of Thanksgiving has been set aside as a time to honor these people by the National Association of Family Caregivers. Contact them for suggestions and additional information.
Contact me for information regarding the monthly support groups I lead for Caregivers of Elderly Relatives.