Posted on Nov 03, 2016

November is National Family Caregivers Month

As attorneys who serve the victims and families affected by nursing home abuse and neglect, we spend a lot of time prioritizing the care those residents deserve and require. However, at the same time, we’ve also come to learn a lot about the sacrifices made by the families and caregivers who love them. Caregiving is an incredibly difficult job, which is why the attorneys at Hupy and Abraham wish to draw attention to November as National Family Caregivers Month.

The theme of 2017’s National Family Caregivers Month is “Caregiving Around the Clock” and seeks to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country while acknowledging that providing care around the clock can crowd out other important areas of life. While caregiving can be a rewarding experience, it is also physically and emotionally demanding. One out of five caregivers says they have sacrificed their own physical health while caring for a loved one.

Many of us have friends and loved ones who sacrifice their time, health and stamina to provide care for someone they love, and there are many ways you can recognize and support them.

Five Ways to Help a Caregiver

  1. Offer your help, as well as emotional support. Sometimes providing a respite break can make a world of difference.
  2. Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregivers through the month of November.
  3. Send an encouraging card in the mail or do an item on a caregiver’s to-do list. Anything to give them some personal time to relax and rejuvenate.
  4. Prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can relax and enjoy the holiday.
  5. Make a donation to a charitable organization that provides assistance and support to caregivers.

Also keep in mind that when a caregiver is forced to make the difficult choice to transition a loved one into a form of assisted care living, it is often an incredibly stressful time. Follow this link to read our tips to help make the long-term care transitions easier for both caregivers and the future resident.

The stress of dealing with caregiving responsibilities often leads to a higher risk of health issues among the nation’s 90 million family caregivers. Please join Hupy and Abraham in celebrating those who do the most by reminding them to take care of themselves.

If you have any questions regarding nursing home care or how to ensure a smooth transition, contact our experienced nursing home abuse and neglect team at 800-800-5678 with your questions, or start a live chat anytime at Hupy.com

Jill Erin Wellskopf
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Director of Marketing, Hupy and Abraham