Did you know that nearly 66 million Americans serve as caregivers to their parents and other loved ones? February 18th is National Caregivers Day, and in honor of our caregivers, we are shining a light on their work and exploring the different ways we can show them our appreciation.
What Does a Caregiver Do?
A caregiver is a paid or unpaid member of a person’s social network or a healthcare provider who helps them with activities of daily living. There are different types of caregivers. The types are family caregiver, professional caregiver, independent caregiver, private duty caregiver, and informal caregiver. Here is a list of duties that a caregiver might engage in during a typical month::
- Six days a month they spend grooming, feeding, dressing, bathing, and walking.
- 13 days a month they spend commuting, cleaning, doing the laundry, monitoring medication, shopping, and cooking special meals for a loved one.
- 13 hours a month are spent coordinating visits with physicians, researching symptoms and diseases, and managing finances.
Honoring Caregivers
While National Caregivers Day is the perfect time to acknowledge the dedicated individuals who work as caregivers, it shouldn’t end there. Showing your appreciation throughout the year with just a simple “thank you” can help lift the spirit of these individuals who work tirelessly to provide high-quality care to the loved ones in your life. You could even thank them over a simple note, letter, or email. Show your support on social media and use the hashtags, #thankacaregiver and #nationalcaregiversday, to share your story. A small gift to your family caregiver(s) would be an excellent idea, too. Here are some suggestions:
- Books (affirmations, mindfulness)
- Gift cards to their favorite store
- Baked goods
- Hand creams, aromatherapy diffusers, or other bath and spa related products
- Donation to a worthy cause in the name of the caregiver
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Sources:
https://www.nahc.org/national-caregivers-day/