‘Supercharge Your Caregiving’ for National Family Caregivers Month in November

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a23af2f4-6ca1-42f3-812d-958508240aed MONTGOMERY-What began as a celebration of family caregivers during the week of Thanksgiving has grown into a month-long acknowledgement and celebration of family caregivers.  November is National Family Caregiver Month, a time to give special recognition to those extraordinary family caregivers who make such a difference in the lives of their loved ones. Caregivers are superheroes. Managing medications. Getting to doctor appointments. Balancing work and home. How can family caregivers handle it all?

According to the AARP 2015 Report Valuing the Invaluable, there are 761,000 caregivers in Alabama providing over 708 million hours of care, at an economic value of $10.89 per hour, with a total economic value of $7.72 billion. Caregivers save the state and federal governments on average over $375 billion dollars a year. Supporting caregivers is economically important for our state healthcare resources.  The unpaid contributions of family caregivers fill big gaps in our long-term care services and supports and without caregivers the cost to the U.S. and State would increase dramatically.

Caregivers’ roles vary greatly, ranging from transportation, meal preparation and housekeeping to more complex help, such as medication management, wound care and tube feedings. The duties of caregiving are usually full time to help loved ones remain at home and in their community.  Caregiving can be a physically, emotionally and economically stressful job.  Communities, social service agencies and faith-based organizations can help reduce the burden of family caregiving through respite care, education and support groups.

Not all superheroes wear capes. Caregivers are rising to the demands and challenges of the caregiver role every day. During National Family Caregivers Month, take advantage of tools that can help you stay on top of it all and restore some balance to your life. From smart home features to online patient portals and medical records; tech tools, apps and online caregiver support groups available to help lighten the load.  The Alabama Department of Senior Services shows its support by honoring family caregivers during the month of November.  We would like to encourage communities, educational institutions, legal services, respite providers, social service agencies and faith-based organizations to join in this recognition.

For more information on Caregiving and Caregiver support services contact:
Traci Dunklin, State Caregiver Director, Alabama Department of Senior Services
Traci.Dunklin@adss.alabama.gov or 1-877-425-2243.  You may also contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center at www.alabamaageline.gov or 1-800-AGE-LINE.

 

Media Release/Julie Waters, Program and Planning Division Chief/Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS)

 

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