November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor those who provide care for their family members and to raise awareness about caregiving needs and challenges.
According to the AARP, about one in every five people in the United States cares for an elder or family member with disabilities, and that rate is higher in Indian Country, where multigenerational households are common.
The Administration for Community Living offers materials to honor and raise the visibility of family caregivers, including graphics and recommended hashtags for social media.
While it is important to raise awareness about caregiving challenges during this time, acknowledging rewarding aspects of caregiving can help offset the stress that comes with it. Positive aspects of caregiving may include strengthened connections between the caregiver and the person receiving care and the knowledge that providing care helps those who need support to stay at home longer, rather than moving to a long-term care facility. See more about the rewards of caregiving and consider sharing some of them to encourage the caregivers in your community.