Children's Home Healthcare Blog NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth

Let's face it. Family caregivers are the people that make the world work. They make sure everyone is okay to go out into the world and once they are done in the world, that they are safe, healthy, and taken care of at home. And while that all may be true, the reality is that the recognition these men and women get is little to none. Not this month! November marks National Family Caregivers Week and this month, we are all cheering those superheroes we call caregivers on. Let's take a peek into a little of what these caregivers do.Morning: The average family caregiver is a working mother of school-aged children. Mornings become a tricky balancing act of getting the kids ready for school, making sure your loved one has what they need for the day, and then getting yourself out the door for work.Throughout the Day: Up to 70 percent of the time, the family caregiver manages the medications. The more serious the condition, the more likely it is that the family caregiver manages the medications for the patient. This means ensuring their loved one is taking medication correctly and maintaining an up-to-date medication list.During the Workday: Six out of 10 family caregivers work full or part time in addition to juggling their caregiving responsibilities at home. Most say they have to cut back on working hours, take a leave of absence, or quit their job entirely.Evening: Evenings are for family time and mealtime. Nutrition is as important for caregivers as it is for their loved ones. Proper nutrition helps maintain strength, energy, stamina and a positive attitude.Late at Night: This might be the only time that family caregivers get a few minutes for themselves to rest and recharge. The chance to take a breather and re-energize is vital so they can be as good a caregiver tomorrow as they were today.Middle of the Night: If loved ones may need to go to the emergency room in the middle of the night on occasion, family caregivers should be prepared ahead of time with what they need to know and what they need to have with them.During National Family Caregiver Month, let's recognize the challenges and the hard work these superheroes do for the world. Caring for those who need it most,Children's Home Healthcare**Information provided by npaonline.org