Take some time this month to thank the caregivers in your life – both personal and professional.

Caregivers are vital to the health and well-being of the patient who needs care.

• Caregivers assist with ADLs and IADLs – including taking on tasks like shopping, bathing and medication management.
• Caregivers are often the main source of communication and advocacy with health care providers. They can be the most accurate historian of symptoms and successes.
• Caregivers take on responsibility for nursing care tasks like medication administration, feeding tube management, monitoring vital signs and simple wound care.
• Caregivers stay current with the patient’s health changes and coordinate care among multiple providers.

Depending on whether the caregiver in your life is taking care of one of your OT patients or whether they are caring for a person you both love, say thank you!

Acknowledge their Role:  Many times the person who requires care is so ill or so impaired, that they don’t recognize the effort and sacrifice the caregiver is making.  You can help by offering a simple thank you: “Thank you for all that you do for your loved one.  I see the effort and time you dedicate to their wellbeing.”  You could also send a card, a small gift or just a funny meme, but be sure to reach out and thank them for their work to keep their loved one as healthy as possible.

Offer Respite:  Caregiving is often a 24/7 commitment, but caregivers need time to tend to their own lives.  Offer regular respite for caregivers of a loved one even if it is a few hours a week or month.  You can also coordinate a network of other family members to each provide some respite.  Even if your caregiver stays in the home, they will appreciate the assistance.  As an OT, be sure to connect caregivers with local respite resources and reputable caregiver networks that can offer in-home respite.  OT may also be able to assist with connections to resources that can help with the cost of respite.

Connect Caregivers to Available Resources:  Key resources for caregivers include: Local Areas Agencies on Aging (AAA) which often offer programs and training for caregivers; the Caregiver Action Network which offers free caregiver toolboxes with articles, videos and how-to-guides customized to the condition of the patient; AARP which offers online forums and a Facebook page for family caregivers; and Eldercare Locator which is a public service of the US Department on Aging devoted to connecting caregivers with local services and supports.

Advocate for Public Policy that Supports Caregivers:  Several federal programs, like the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Medicaid Waivers, the RAISE Act and VA, support caregivers with respite, training, support groups and stipends.  Advocacy is needed to maintain these resources and expand their impact.  Big policy focus areas at the federal and local levels include access to healthcare, paid leave for caregivers, financial support, and respite care.

Hope this list inspires you to take a minute this month to support and thank a caregiver in your life!