November is National Family Caregivers (NFC) month, a time to recognize and honor the incredible work family caregivers provide to loved ones – from essential care to medical assistance. Their commitment and sacrifice has never been more apparent than during the pandemic, when family caregivers did everything they could to keep loved ones safe and healthy.
President Clinton signed the first NFC Month Presidential Proclamation in 1997 and every president since has followed suit by issuing an annual proclamation each November, recognizing and honoring family caregivers. The national observance is spearheaded by Caregiver Action Network (CAN), a nonprofit organization that provides free education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers. CAN used the 2021 theme, #CaregiverAnd which encourages family caregivers to celebrate the passions and interests that enrich their lives.
Family Caregivers Need Support, Too
Families that can’t afford to hire home health care services often have family members who sacrifice their jobs and personal lives to take care of ill, disabled or aging loved ones. There are more than 53 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to family, friends, and neighbors, and are the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities in the United States. They help prepare the meals, drive to medical appointments, pay the bills, and ensure prescribed medications are taken.
Nearly 50% of all caregivers are over age 50, according to CAN, with many themselves vulnerable to a decline in their own health, with challenges exacerbated by the responsibilities of caregiving and conflicting responsibilities. Research shows that caregiving takes a significant emotional, physical, and financial toll on caregivers. In fact, studies show that the availability of coordinated support services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress, and enable them to provide care longer, which avoids or delays the need for costly institutional care. (We will discuss in another article how the Biden Administration is seeking to ease the burden of caregiving for American families by providing more support for home- and community-based services and affordable senior housing programs.)
Manchester Specialty Programs is proud to honor these family heroes who give selflessly to others. We understand what it takes to provide home health care as specialists in providing insurance solutions for Home Care, Allied Health and Human/Social Services organizations. For more information about how our products and services can help protect your insureds, please contact us at 855.972.9399.