Retirement

Honoring and Supporting Caregivers in the Month of November

November 19, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 19, 2015

A happy senior African American couple outside a car. The man is sitting in a wheelchair and his wife is standing beside him with her arm around his shoulder.

I was supporting a friend — just doing my thing and someone told me I was a “C-A-R-E-G-I-V-E-R”.  So I was a caregiver this whole time without even realizing it and, on top of that, without realizing the challenges that people deal with when they’re really sick. Now, I’m ready to do something about this … — Marilyn

Marilyn holds a senior position in a southeastern Michigan hospital system. She is an informed health care consumer. Even with her experience, she found herself in uncharted territory when her friend was diagnosed with a serious illness. Together, they were forced to navigate through a maze of care options, settings, and medication with little information or support. Unfortunately, this is a story heard all too often.

The number of people providing “informal caregiving” is growing rapidly as baby boomers age and face the long-term, advanced illnesses that our healthcare system is not equipped to handle. Each day, about 10,000 people turn 65.

November is National Caregivers Month — a time when the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care and its members recognize the acts of those selfless caregivers around the country. We reflect on how we can increase support for and awareness of them and their loved ones.

 How can you help?

  1. Recognize caregivers — even though they are “doing what they always do,” as Marilyn put it. Social Security and the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care recently participated in a celebration of family caregivers hosted by the Alameda County Care Alliance. The event honored 200 people as caregivers. It was quite a celebration!
  1. Encourage people, like Marilyn, who take action. She is part of a movement led by people living with advanced illnesses, their caregivers, and spiritual leaders in southeastern Michigan. On November 15, ten churches in the Southeast Michigan Alliance to Transform Advanced Care dedicated their Sunday service to caregivers.
  1. Know your resources and plan ahead. According to NPR’s Your Money and Your Life: Smart Saving Tools, almost half of working Americans have less than $10,000 saved for retirement. Fortunately, Social Security helps the public plan for the future by providing estimated benefits with the Retirement Estimator. Social Security’s financial support provides peace of mind to millions of Americans, many of whom care for a loved one with an advanced illness.

The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care and Social Security share a vision to protect the most vulnerable individuals and ensure that they receive person-centered care that honors their dignity. The Coalition is leading the national conversation on financial concerns for those with advanced illnesses and their caregivers. In celebration of this month and the beginning of the holiday season, the Coalition asks that you join the movement and find ways to get involved or simply let caregivers know how much you appreciate their efforts.

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About the Author

Jon Broyles, Executive Director, Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC)

Jon Broyles, Executive Director, Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC)

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Comments

  1. Mary

    Wish I had space for tips. Some caregivers know this. This is for those who need this. 1. Do not feed heart patients canned, frozen or packaged food unless low sodium. 2. Do not clean with toxic chemicals like ammonia which can burn the lungs. 3. Do not mix cleaning products. 4. Do not put cutlery, plastic or pans in the dishwasher, 5. Do not add to the work load. 6. Do not nap during work hours, 7. Do not impose your rules it is not your house. 8. Do not focus more on the net than the patient, 9. Follow the patients directives 10. Do not go around the house snooping. 11. If you can’t follow patient’s rules, go elsewhere.

  2. yvette f.

    I am my husbands full time primary caregiver, and also power of attorney, he has MS and legally blind. I was informed that I should be compensated for caring for him. Is this true?, if so how do I apply

  3. bindal a.

    Indeed a great post. Thanks for sharing with us. I would love to share this post. keep posting.

  4. Debbie H.

    Is there a program that pays you to be a caregiver?

    • R.F.

      Hello Debbie. Some individuals may be eligible to receive assistance from the state where they live. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information.
      Thanks!

  5. dr.Hinge

    Thanks for sharing information tips here. I am always searching tips over the internet.
    I really appreciated your work. keep on posting.

  6. Vaibhav

    You have well define your blog.Information shared is useful.

    • J.Y.

      Thanks for your feedback! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.

  7. Erlene W.

    Are there any programs that help pay for family caregivers?

Comments are closed.