We Must Remember to Give Thanks to the Family Caregivers in Our Lives

By Safiya Simmons

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Started by the Caregiver Action Network, National Family Caregivers Month is a chance to appreciate and show respect for those who help family members navigate and recover from both short- and long-term physical and mental health issues. It’s also a chance for us to learn how to better support those who do this important work for our families.

Caregiving can add at least 15 hours of additional responsibility per week. Many of us are quick to offer a word of thanks to the aunt, cousin, or other (unofficially designated) family caregiver who takes time from their day to ensure that a family member who’s ill or in recovery has a hot meal or a ride to a doctor appointment. Still, sometimes we don’t adequately acknowledge the physical and emotional toll this work can take on them. And sometimes we don’t do that simply because we don’t know how to. Yet there’s so much we can do. There are many ways, big and small, we can express our appreciation and back up our words with actions.

Working and keeping things afloat in our personal lives often keeps many of us from being caregivers ourselves. But there’s still a chance to offer a caregiver respite by offering to take their place during an afternoon or evening so they can have some time away for self-care. We clean or, at the very least, not cause additional mess for family caregivers to deal with. We can cook meals. Or if that’s not possible, we can grocery shop for them, have their groceries delivered, or run other errands for them while we take care of ours. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is ask them how they’re doing. We can listen and simply give them a chance to talk about what they’re experiencing.

We can also seek out resources that would give caregivers the training and other support they need to provide the best care they can and not wear themselves down. And we can advocate for government policies and initiatives that support caregivers. Many caregivers work and are unable to take time off because that would put them in financial trouble. We can use our voice to encourage elected representatives and local organizations who are fighting to create a federal paid family and medical leave policy that would allow workers to take up to 12 weeks off to care for their family or themselves.

November is a month where our collective focus is on giving thanks for family and friends. But it’s important that we show up for the family caregivers who continually show up for us and those we love when an illness or other emergency occurs. We should recognize their efforts all year by ensuring they have what they need to remain healthy, time to heal, and a chance to reset and relax when necessary. That’s the best way to give thanks to the family caregivers who give us so much, during November and beyond.