Chances are you know someone who provides care for a family member; that person may even be you. Over 44 million Americans providing care to their loved ones every day, from millennials to members of the “Greatest Generation” and across races and ethnicities.
Family caregivers are selfless, passionate people who willingly sacrifice their time and their bodies to love and care for a family member. Because of this, it is often hard for them to find full enjoyment during the holiday season.
Since November is Caregivers Month, we thought it would be a great chance to offer some ways you can help out the caregivers you know. It doesn’t have to be anything big; even small gestures go a long way.
- Make food- a caregiver’s time is constrained, meaning they may not always eat the best. If nothing is already prepared, they may not eat at all. Making casseroles, stews, soups and other hearty foods and giving them to a caregiver not only lets them know you care, but helps look after their wellbeing.
- Pamper them- caregivers spend more time focused on the loved one they are helping than themselves. A gift certificate for a massage, pedicure or other relaxation can be a big boost to their health.
- Give them a day or two off- find a home health provider who can look after their loved one for a day or two just to get them out of the house.
- Run errands for them- whether it’s going to the grocery store, picking up household items or simply running something to the post office, there are many ways you can take the load off a caregiver’s shoulders.
What other ways can you think of to provide relief and help to the caregivers you know? Anything you can do can help, as small or trivial as it may seem.
Keep the caregivers you know in your thoughts as we go through the holidays. They are amazing people doing amazing work.
Heartland Bank, Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC