November is National Family Caregiver Month

In the United States, there are more than 65 million people providing care for chronically ill, disabled or aged family members or friends during any given year.Those 65 million people spend 20 hours a week providing that care.That care is valued at $375 billion a year, which is almost twice as much as is spent on homecare and nursing home services combined.

As family caregivers ourselves, we know how difficult this labor of love is. That is why we work with seniors and their families who want to make    

• powerful choices                                              
• find the right care solutions and
• experience life's transitions with ease.

We know "It Takes a Village" ...

10 Tips for Family Caregivers

1. Seek support from other caregivers.  You are not alone!
2. Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.
3. Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
4. Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
5. Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
6. Watch out for signs of depression and don't delay in getting professional help when you need it.
7. Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
8. Organize medical information so it's up to date and easy to find.
9. Make sure legal documents are in order.
10. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!

These tips are from the Caregiver Action Network (caregiveraction.org).

For additional resources to support the family caregiver and their loved ones, click here.

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