November is National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Month is celebrated in November to show appreciation for the millions of Americans who provide care for their family members. There are approximately 70,000 unpaid caregivers in Vermont, providing an estimated 66 million hours of unpaid care valued at approximately $1.23 billion (from the AARP Public Policy Institute, Valuing the Invaluable: Number of Family Caregivers, Hours, and Economic Value of Caregiving, by State, 2021 - AARP Insight on the Issues).
Celebrating Family Caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month enables all of us to:
- 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
Family caregivers can access a number of resources for themselves and their loved ones, including respite, support groups, social activities, counseling, and education. Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging can help provide these services to caregivers of older adults. For more information, call the Vermont Older Adults Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 or visit www.vermont4a.org. There are also a number of supports for caregivers offered virtually. Check out this list of options: Vermont Family Caregiver Support Program Guide to Remote Support.pdf
To learn more about National Family Caregivers Month, visit National Family Caregivers Month | ACL Administration for Community Living.