November is Family Caregivers Month

“There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” This statement from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter alludes to the ubiquitous nature of caregiving in the human experience. People, usually family members, step up when needed to support their loved ones.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, when we recognize the contributions of family caregivers in  supporting their loved ones. And just because we all have a role at least one time throughout our lives in caregiving, it does not make the job easier.

It helps for us as caregivers of family members — whether parents, spouses, or relatives — to reach out to support one another. With resources, both in the community and online, we do not need to travel the path of caregiving alone.

At Community Caregivers, our volunteers can provide respite services to those who may need a break of one to two hours to tend to their own needs. It’s common for family caregivers to neglect their own medical appointments because they don’t want to leave their loved one alone, so respite care can help.

In addition, we also offer a Caregivers’ Support Group for those caring for someone with memory loss. It meets twice monthly on Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m. at Christ the King Church in Guilderland.  There is no charge. Please call (518) 456-2898 if you might be interested in attending.

In “Caregivers’ corner” throughout the winter months, we will explore pertinent topics that can support family caregivers. In December, we will offer tips for caregivers during the holidays.

Community Caregivers Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides non-medical services including transportation and caregiver support at no charge to residents of Guilderland, Bethlehem, Altamont, New Scotland, Berne, Knox, and the city of Albany through a strong volunteer pool of dedicated individuals with a desire to assist their neighbors. Our funding is derived in part from the Albany County Department for Aging, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the United States Administration on Aging.

To find out more about our services, as well as volunteer opportunities, please visit www.communitycaregivers.org or call us at (518) 456-2898.

Editor’s note: Linda Miller is the Outreach and Education coordinator for Community Caregivers.