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Caregivers dedicate a significant amount of time to looking after those who need care, putting in an average of 24 hours per week.

For some, it’s a full-time commitment. While it’s undoubtedly a labor of love, caregivers often feel unnoticed, isolated, and unacknowledged. This is where your support becomes essential. You have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on your family members, friends, and colleagues who are taking care of others.

On National Caregivers Day, which falls on the third Friday in February this year, express your understanding:

• Recognize their efforts.
• Show that you see what they’re doing.
• Convey your sincere appreciation and respect for their invaluable work.

What is National Caregivers Day?

National Caregivers Day is a day to honor and recognize care professionals nationwide who dedicate themselves to delivering long-term and hospice care.

Across the country, committed care professionals are dedicated to serving individuals needing care. They offer essential services, comforting patients and their concerned families. Our loved ones often require care beyond what we can provide, either due to physical limitations or a lack of necessary skills and resources. Trained non-medical caregivers offer continuous care in secure environments, allowing families to concentrate on their loved one’s healing process.

These caregivers perform various tasks, from personal care to non-medical services, with a blend of compassion and professionalism. Despite facing long and demanding days, they support those in need.

The celebration serves as a recognition of the caregivers who consistently deliver quality and compassionate care year after year.

How to Observe National Caregiver Day?

The responsibilities of a caregiver for the elderly cover a lot of ground, which is why showing appreciation may mean the world to caregivers. Here are some ways families can express gratitude for caregivers and celebrate our heroes:

• Be With Them:

  Stephenie Baker, who cared for her mother, eloquently captured the sentiment: “Sit with me. Don’t just tell me how great I’m doing. Spend some time with me.”

  What this entails:

  • Inquire about their well-being. Communicate that their physical, mental, and emotional health and overall quality of life are as significant as their loved ones.
  • Listen without judgment. Allow them the space to share their emotions, recount stories, laugh, cry, vent, and reflect on their caregiving journey. Your role isn’t to fix anything; it’s to express care and validate their perspectives. Acknowledge that you understand they might be going through a tough time. Assure them it’s okay to experience a range of emotions, including resentment, anger, frustration, and joy.
  • Engage in regular activities together. Establish consistent companionship, whether it’s a weekly walk, a scheduled check-in call, or a shared meal over coffee or tea. Plan ahead to give them something to anticipate, and be adaptable if caregiving duties necessitate a last-minute change.
  • Drop by for a visit (with their loved ones). Even brief visits can have a meaningful impact on their day. If they are hands-on caregivers, try to avoid their busiest times when planning a visit.

• Make Sure They Take Breaks:

  Don’t just suggest they take a break; actively plan for it. Assist them in carving out time for exercise, getting a haircut, traveling, attending to errands, or maintaining their health care. Offer your help and follow through—don’t wait for them to request assistance.

  What this involves:

  • Invest in some respite care. Whether through an agency or paid caregivers, consider covering the cost.
  • Offer to provide care yourself. Spend time with their care recipients, providing valuable interaction even if they are present. Enjoy activities like playing games, watching movies, viewing photo albums, or listening to music together.
  • Coordinate with family members to share caregiving responsibilities. Contact aunts, cousins, nephews, or other close relatives to see if they can contribute.
  • Explore alternative respite care options. Look into state or local respite programs or consider a short-term respite stay at an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. Discuss these options with them and take proactive steps to facilitate their implementation.

• Express Support Actively:

  There’s always a need for hands-on assistance in various areas.

  What this involves:

  • Prepare or order a meal for caregivers and those under their care, ensuring they know they don’t have to cook that day. (Make sure to accommodate any special diets.)
  • Conduct online research on their behalf. Assist in finding healthcare providers, gathering information about health conditions, locating medical equipment, or identifying the perfect gadget to address a specific need.
  • Tackle housework and yard work, personally or by hiring someone to do it, at their home or their loved one’s residence. Managing cleaning, lawn maintenance, holiday decorations, and other tasks alongside caregiving can become overwhelming. Fix things or cover the costs for a handy person to address repairs.
  • Assist in organizational efforts. Alleviate their stress by organizing a cluttered closet or cabinet, arranging medical supplies, cleaning the refrigerator, or decluttering the home. You can even consider hiring a professional organizer to guide or handle the organizing process.
  • Run errands for them. Your help in handling these tasks can be invaluable, whether it’s picking up groceries, care supplies, household items, dry cleaning, or coordinating and covering the cost of delivery.

• Celebrate the Caregivers:

  When considering caregiver support, be specific; highlight the numerous ways in which they are truly making a positive impact in the lives of their loved ones. Commemorate both the small and significant victories. Let them know you recognize their skills and resilience, even in the most challenging circumstances.

  What this involves:

  • Send thoughtful greeting cards through the mail. In a time when “good mail” is a rarity, receiving a card expressing gratitude for everything they do is a special and uplifting surprise. Share specific affirmations about their dedication. For instance, during my caregiving journey, my best friend sent me a card that said, “She never gives up!” I displayed it prominently in my home, consistently boosting my spirits and providing confidence and encouragement to persevere.
  • Send edible treats like a fruit bouquet, cookies, or a wine-of-the-month club subscription. Consider their preferences; my aunt loves bread pudding, so I found a place that ships it. These surprises and a note expressing appreciation can mean the world.
  • Present fresh flowers by delivering them personally or arranging for delivery. Fresh flowers can bring joy and beauty, creating a sense of specialness.
  • Write a heartfelt letter outlining their incredible qualities, emphasizing their importance, and expressing admiration for their efforts.
  • Consider nominating them for an award. Explore local, state, or national organizations that recognize outstanding caregivers or individuals making a difference in their communities. If such an award isn’t available, create a personalized award complete with a certificate to acknowledge their exceptional contributions.

• Prioritize Self-Care:

  Remind them that prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a practical necessity. Emphasize the importance of “filling up” to maintain the internal fuel required for sustained caregiving. Taking care of themselves will ultimately make them better caregivers.

  What this involves:

  • Gift a certificate for a pampering treatment such as a massage, facial, or manicure/pedicure. Extend your assistance beyond the gift by helping schedule the appointment, arranging transportation, and coordinating backup care. Consider making it a shared experience for added enjoyment.
  • Enroll them in a class or purchase tickets for a movie, art exhibit, festival, exercise session, or local community event. Accompany them to the event, demonstrating your commitment to their well-being and providing a shared, uplifting experience.
  • Assist in scheduling their wellness checkups. Offer to drive them to the appointment and plan to have lunch or coffee afterward, making the experience more convenient and supportive.

Final Thoughts

In acknowledging the unwavering commitment of caregivers, every act, regardless of its size, holds significance. On National Caregivers Day, let’s unite to celebrate and provide encouragement for their invaluable efforts.