February 2022
Dear friends,

National Caregivers Day is observed on Feb. 18 this year. The day honors individuals who selflessly provide personal care, along with physical and emotional support to those who need it most. The National Alliance for Caregiving and American Association of Retired Persons reports that in 2020, an estimated 53 million caregivers in the US cared for an adult or child without receiving compensation. While most caregivers tend to one adult, approximately 15% look after two adults and 3% care for three or more adults. 

What’s surprising is that many caregivers are elders too, and the number of hours they spend caregiving only increases with time. The average age of caregivers looking after a person 65 years or older is 63 years old! Many of them report having poor health themselves. 

The Calvert County Office on Aging believes the kindness and hard work of caregivers should be celebrated throughout the year. However, their importance is especially honored on National Caregivers Day.
Please take time to take care for yourself. Below are some ways to do this:

  1. Consider attending the senior centers in Calvert County. Most of our programs are for adults 50 and over. If possible, bring the person you are caring for and join an activity together. 
  2. Join a support group (call Lisa Caudle at 410-535-4606 for more information on local support groups).
  3. Get supportive counseling (contact Lisa Caudle for free counseling that may be available to you).
"Caregivers go through more than they will tell you.
   They give up a lot and rarely have a social life.
They can get sick and emotionally worn out. It’s a lot 
for one person and you will never know until you 
have walked the road of a caregiver.”
Author - unknown
CONTACT INFORMATION
Calvert County Office on Aging
Lisa Caudle, Long Term Care Manager
450 West Dares Beach Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-4606, ext. 129
www.calvertcountymd.gov