Today is a meaningful day for millions of Americans. Unbeknownst to many people, National Caregivers Day is observed annually on the third Friday in February.
With a record-setting 42 million Americans serving as caregivers to an adult over the age of 50, the work is demanding and often uncompensated. The intensity and conditions result in sacrifices to caregivers’ income, career, family, time, energy, hobbies, and even their overall health. The psychological and physiological risks associated with the mental, physical, and financial burnout is high, especially for those of us in the Sandwich Generation; people such as myself whose umbrella of care simultaneously stretches to cover our children and one or more aging parent.
National Caregivers Day is an opportunity to honor and support all of the caregivers in your circle.
This blog post is the first of a twice-monthly column on LogicMark.com. Each post will be a direct message from me on topics related to caregiving and self care. The advice I offer may appear to speak primarily to Sandwich Generation caregivers, but trust me, the spirit of caregiving is multi-directional and not a domain owned by any one group. Underscoring each post will be compassion and understanding offered and applicable to anyone – from caregivers striving to meet social, personal and professional goals for themselves and their families to professionals working in the care industry, to children and elders receiving care.
Another important aspect of the blog will include ways to support and appreciate the caregivers in your life, whether you are the one receiving care, or simply a friend to a caregiver.
Ultimately, I can think of no better way to celebrate the blog’s debut than announcing it on National Caregivers Day. Today, the important role caregivers play in our country is obvious as we witness the largest shift in demographics in decades. By 2040, close to one in four Americans will be 65 and over. Caregivers enable these elders to age gracefully, safely, and easily at home. Caregivers of children at the opposite end of the generational spectrum must continue to devote time, resources, energy, education, social and emotional learning, and most crucially, attention and comfort to their children. The overall message of this national celebration is to notice, rejoice, and express appreciation for the caregivers in your circle.
This week’s tips: Be Active on National Caregivers Day!
1. For recipients of care: Sometimes, a simple “thank you” is enough. Add a specific example, such as “Thank you for helping me get to my doctor’s appointments.” or “Thank you for the note you stuck in my backpack. That really picked me up when I was feeling down.”
2. For caregivers: Try to reserve a small space in your day to pause, but do something active and intentional. Maybe read one chapter in that book you keep meaning to get to, or sit down at the piano and touch base with your love of music. Go to the gym, take a walk, or play with the family dog in the backyard.
3. For everyone: Who in your local, regional, and national government supports or sponsors bills to improve pay equity for caregivers? Write or email a short letter advocating better conditions for family caregivers. The best way to guarantee that professional, high-quality caregiving remains available and families are protected now and in the future is to do something. Speak up, join the call, celebrate, and remind each person in your life to make National Caregivers Day significant.
