November is National Family Caregivers Month

As 2020 moves into the holiday season and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, let us take a moment to honor and support the millions of family caregivers who are taking on extraordinary responsibilities. Family caregivers include all of us, whether we provide services to our elders, our spouses/partners, friends or whether we are part of our children’s distance education. They care for those they love 24/7 and help keep us safe.

To all family caregivers, you are appreciated for the love and caring you give others. Please remember that caregiving can be lonely. Taking time for yourself is not selfish – it is necessary for your health. Stepping out for a walk or making a connecting phone call with a friend or having a bit of unscheduled time to yourself helps keep you strong.

During these times, those at Cambrian Homecare and Skills4Care are not able to conduct support groups and meet with you personally. Yet, we understand your responsibility, now more than ever. We are providing free, online resources, namely, http://caregiving.com/, where you can read others’ caregiving stories and join in for webinars and videos.

Additionally, you can explore Carely, http://www.care.ly. Carely is a free, caregiving mobile app that helps make communicating with families and friends about the care of a loved one easier.

As professional caregivers, we salute all family caregivers in our communities. May Thanksgiving bring you celebration of family and connection – in spite of distance and circumstance. Thank you and keep up your remarkable, caring work.

Rhiannon E. Acree, R.N.