Caregiver Support Appreciation
Caregivers come from a variety of sources, including engagement of our active duty servicemembers in helping Veterans at their memorials. Everyday more that 65 million people reach out as a caregiver to assist a family member or friend, many of them Veterans.
November is National Family Caregivers Month - a time to recognize, support, inform, empower and thank our family caregivers. Every day more than 65 million people reach out as a caregiver to assist a family member or friend, many of them Veterans.
Who are all of these caregivers? The typical American family caregiver is a spouse, children, a sibling or other relatives, partner, friend or neighbor.
What do caregivers do? Simply put, being a caregiver is the act of assisting someone you care about who is chronically ill or disabled and who is no longer able to meet 100% of their own needs. They assist with medication management and organization, direct hands-on care such as help with bathing and toileting, or tasks like driving, grocery shopping or cleaning. The National Family Caregivers Association estimates that family caregivers provide 80 percent of all home care services, and if purchased, those same services would cost about $375 billion dollars a year.
The National Family Caregivers Association first recognized caregivers in 1994 during the week of Thanksgiving. The Indianapolis VA Medical Center will host our first Caregiver Support Appreciation event on November 22 with an event call "De-Stress for the Holiday – Finding Ways to Relax as a Caregiver". Come and enjoy some relaxing self-care services and treats. It is our hope that the Caregivers who take part in this activity will feel recharged and will walk away with a few ideas on how to relax during stressful moments.
Also, please join the Caregiver Support Program for other informational opportunities during the month of November. Check them out:
• November 2nd – Know the 10 signs of Alzheimer's Disease
• November 9th - The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer's
• November 16th - Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer's Disease
For more information, contact Mary Burns-Verbarg, Caregiver Support Coordinator, at 317-988-4891. Indianapolis VA Medical Center salutes the dedication of caregivers and stands ready to support their work.
