November 13, 2024

November is National Family Caregivers Month!

Established by a Presidential Proclamation in 1997, National Family Caregivers Month is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and many outstanding non-profit organizations, including the Caregiver Action Network.

“November is a time to show support and to honor our nation’s vital caregivers. Join us in acknowledging the families who are often caregiving around the clock — through dedication, organization, responsibility, and hands-on care.”

We honor the dedication and compassion of family caregivers in our community. Their selfless commitment deserves our deepest appreciation.

What Can You Do to Support Family Caregivers?

Learn How to Support a Caregiver

”While family caregiving can be a privilege and a rewarding opportunity, caregiving can be a tough job, sometimes thankless and costly. These responsibilities often leave caregivers overlooking their health and well-being. Learn more about how you can help support a caregiver.”

“If you were called upon to offer care to a loved one, how would you manage? What would you need as a family caregiver to carry on? Consider these questions, as it is likely that each of us will be a caregiver one day. Writer, advocate, and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter famously declared, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

Here are some ways you can support caregivers:

1. Check in regularly: How are you doing? What can I do to help?
2. Make yourself available to them — maybe set up regular times to check in.
3. Perhaps set up a regular chore they can count on you for, and don’t have to ask over and over again.
4. Be sure to ask the caregiver how are they doing? Are they taking time for themselves.

If You Are a Caregiver of a

Family Member… Honor Yourself!

As a caregiver, your health is important too. Be sure to:

• Take time for yourself.
• Ask for help from friends and family.
• Connect with a caregiver support group.

Learn more about our Caregiver Support Program:

daybreakac.org/caregiver-support-program

Check out these great websites for caregivers:

• Family Caregiver Alliance: www.caregiver.org
• AARP Caregiving: www.aarp.org/caregiving
• National Alliance for Caregiving: www.caregiving.org
• The Caregiver Space: www.thecaregiverspace.org

If you are a family caregiver 

or you want to support family caregivers…



Take a minute here to listen to some of their stories in this video—Every story is different and so important. This video, developed by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, highlights the struggles, joys, and resilience of family caregivers.

Watch Video: The Faces of Caregiving

When and how did this special acknowledgement

and celebration of family caregivers start?

The Cabinet-level Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was created under President Eisenhower, officially coming into existence April 11, 1953 

• hhs.gov/about/historical-highlights/index.html

The history of the federal governments role in health and safety of it’s citizens—probably originated in 1798, when Congress established a network of federal hospitals to care for merchant seamen. 

• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215021/

And of course you know:              

US constitution says: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

So… The US Department of Health and Human Services and it’s many programs is a federal agency that gives grants and oversees and supports many health and community support programs throughout the country.   

“The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.”

Among the offices and agencies of Health and Human Services is: 

Administration for Community Living (ACL) which exists to: “Advance independence and inclusion of older adults and people with disabilities.” 

• https://acl.gov/

There are many outstanding non-profit organizations working to support family caregivers:

Caregiver Action Network (CAN) Leads National Family Caregiver’s Month 

https://www.caregiveraction.org/nfc-month/ 

• Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
• Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
• Educate family caregivers about self-identification
• Increase support for family caregivers
• Reduce feelings of isolation

National Council on Aging (NCOA):

www.ncoa.org/page/national-family-caregivers-month

• “Families are often the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities. In fact, today in America, more than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care. That's an economic value totaling more than $470 billion."
• “While family caregivers should be celebrated every day, this is a time to recognize and honor caregivers nationally, raise awareness around caregiving issues, educate communities, and work to increase support for our nation's caregivers."

Here are some of the past newsletters and webinars and other free family caregiver support programs here at DayBreak Adult Care.

You can access them through our website:

• www.daybreakac.org/webinar-newsletter

— Susan Musicant, DPT, Injury Prevention Coordinator at DayBreak

At DayBreak, we’re dedicated to improving the lives of elders and family caregivers. Through essential services and compassionate care, we help them navigate challenges with dignity. Your donation ensures we can continue providing these critical resources to those who need them most.

If you know an elder in need of our care and coordination services, or a caregiver seeking support, please encourage them to reach out to us at: 

510-834-8314