Recognized and celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) is an opportunity to honor family caregivers as well as raise awareness of caregiving issues and increase support for caregivers. This national observance is facilitated by the Caregiver Action Network and is confirmed yearly by presidential proclamation.
Many caregivers provide essential care and support to their loved ones while also working, attending school, raising children, and/or managing their own health. Studies have revealed that caregiving may take a significant toll on the caregiver’s emotional, physical, and mental health. A Profile of Informal Caregiving in Texas from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission reports that as many as 70% of family caregivers surveyed experience depression and anxiety, 40% reported experiencing a chronic health condition, and 66% reported that their health has affected their ability to provide care for the care recipient.
The theme for 2021’s National Family Caregivers Month is #CaregiverAnd, which encourages caregivers to celebrate the personal passions and interests that enrich their lives by sharing these activities as well as their caregiving experiences with the hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. You can also read personal stories from caregivers at Caring Across Generations. For new stories related to aging, disability issues, and caregiving issues, see the Administration for Community Living’s news feed.
Caregivers can find a large community of support online. The Family Caregiver Toolbox from the Caregiver Action Network compiles useful resources on a number of important caregiving topics, including finding a support group, medication and medical appointment checklists, and tips for managing costs of care. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides support to caregivers through various programs and initiatives, including but not limited to: RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregiving Advisory Council, Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and the Lifespan Respite Care Program. Texas caregivers are further supported by Texas Health and Human Services with initiatives such as Take Time Texas, which supports caregivers by helping them coordinate time for themselves with respite providers across the state.
Past Ex Libris Juris blog posts related to the topic of elder law, family planning, and other legal resources for seniors and their families include:
National Senior Citizens Day 2020 – includes a list of legal information and resources on elder law and other topics related to seniors
National Retirement Security Awareness Month - Resources for Women from October 2021 – includes resources for financial security and retirement planning aimed towards women