November is National Family Caregivers Month

Written By paige wolk

This year’s theme is “Caregiving Happens,” because that is the experience of so many people who step in to become family caregivers when loved ones need assistance. Unplanned emergency assistance can stretch into weeks or months or longer, as volunteer caregivers find themselves juggling careers and other obligations while struggling to make sense of challenging new responsibilities.

At Overture Home Care, we understand what you are going through, and we salute you. This November, we offer with love a piece of wisdom that we hope will help you navigate your new normal: You are not alone.

According to a National Alliance for Caregiving / AARP study, about 34.2 million Americans just like you provide unpaid care to a senior adult every year. Some of those Americans have created organizations and non-profit groups dedicated to providing their peers with needed guidance, support and human connection. We have included links below to two of those groups, and we encourage you to check them out.

First up, you’ll find the Caregiver Action Network (CAN). Browse the resources on the page we have linked to, which includes links to most everything on the CAN site. We recommend that you take time to visit their Family Caregiver Toolbox, which offers information on everything from specific medical conditions to time management assistance, as well as the 10 Tips for Caregivers page, which reminds you to be aware of and supportive of your own mental health. CAN also provides a confidential Help Desk that you can access via telephone, email or online chat, and an anonymous Care Chat space, where you can post messages, ask questions and share your story with other caregivers.

The second link below is to the Family Caregiver Alliance® (FCA) Resource Reminder page, where you’ll find downloadable information sheets on a wide variety of topics, from caregiving for individuals with specific conditions, to digital technology overviews, and even to legal caregiving issues and planning. As a bonus, many of the documents on this site are available in languages other than English!

While we encourage you to find guidance and support through these online resources, we also want to remind you that the compassionate caregivers at Overture Home Care are always available for in-person support. We have seen your love, labor and sacrifice first-hand — 95% of our clients have dedicated family members caring for them as well as our caregivers — and it is our highest mission to be there for you and your loved ones whenever you need us. Please contact us 24/7 at (817) 887-9401 for a free consultation.

LINKS:

paige wolk
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