The AARP reports that nearly 40 million people in the United States provide ongoing care for an older loved one. To commemorate individuals who lovingly provide care to older family members, November has been designated National Family Caregivers Month. There are many ways families can celebrate the month with a family member or friend who has assumed the role of caregiver.
Offer Assistance
Consider giving the family caregiver a break by stepping in and assuming his or her responsibilities for a few hours, a whole day, or an entire week. Free time enables caregivers to catch up on other responsibilities. They might also take the time to rejuvenate, relax, and indulge in stress-relieving activities.
Caregivers may benefit from having one or more individuals help out by performing grocery shopping duties, running errands, or providing transportation on a regular basis. Consider helping the caregiver organize tasks, or offer to assist with record-keeping needs. Receiving help from a network of loved ones can lower stress.
Having a professional caregiver come into the home and take on the role is another option. Oshkosh respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Have a Party
Consider hosting a party for the special caregiver in your family’s life. All who attend can express their gratitude for everything the person does to care for his or her senior loved one. Plan the event around the caregiver’s normal duties, or have someone step in to take his or her place. Other ideas might include presenting a commemorative gift as a sign of appreciation. Depending on the number of caregivers one or more families want to celebrate, consider hosting a dinner and a night out on the town.
Show Your Appreciation with a Card
Families touched by a family caregiver may want to consider combining forces to show their appreciation by showering the caregiver with encouraging cards and mementos. The small tokens may lift the caregiver’s spirits and reinforce the knowledge that the tasks he or she performs don’t go unnoticed and are highly regarded.
Create a Caregiving Calendar
Gather photographs of the caregiver’s friends and family members or special moments and create a special 12-month calendar. Calendars enable caregivers to keep track of appointments and other obligations. The faces of loved ones also remind them that their efforts are appreciated and they remain loved and in people’s thoughts.
Provide Financial Support
Consider hosting a fundraiser. Have friends and family pitch in to help the caregiver cover the out-of-pocket expenses he or she often incurs in addition to providing care. Allow the caregiver to decide how the proceeds might be most helpful.
Your caregiver friend may be even more financially stressed because he or she is helping a loved one who has an illness. Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Oshkosh seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Seek Support from the Community
Friends and family members of caregivers should encourage local businesses to join them in an effort to commemorate the month. Businesses might offer a free meal or movie. They might also provide discounts for their services or products. Some local venues could pool their resources to host a special commemorative event.
One final thing you can do is offer to help your friend find professionals who can care for his or her loved one. When searching for reliable Oshkosh senior care agencies, families want to know their senior loved one will be well taken care of. At Senior Stride Home Care, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more. To talk to one of our Care Managers, call 920-717-1767 today.