Salute to Family Caregivers
“There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. Caregiving is universal.”
Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady of the United States
November is National Family Caregivers Month and this year’s theme is “Caregiving Around the Clock.”
A caregiver is a person who assists with the needs or concerns of a person with short- or long-term limitations due to illness, injury, or disability. The term “family caregiver” describes individuals who care for members of their family of origin. It also refers to those who care for other individuals, or their family of choice. This could be members of their church, neighbors, or close friends.
The need for caregivers is growing along with the aging of the U.S. population. The number of caregivers increased from 43.5 million in 2015 to nearly 53 million in 2020, or more than 1 in 5 Americans. By 2030, an estimated 73 million people in the U.S. will be 65 years or older. Many will require daily assistance from at least one caregiver to maintain quality of life, independence, and physical and social well-being. More than two-thirds of the US population will likely need help with tasks at some point in their lifetime.
While caregivers should be celebrated throughout the year, this is a special time to recognize and salute them nationally. This is also a time to promote the importance of practicing self-care first before taking on the demands of caregiving to others.
For more information, visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/supporting-caregivers.htm
