UCP is pleased to be an endorsing organization of National Family Caregiving Month, created by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), to bring attention to the needs of family caregivers. The theme is "Speak Up," which emphasizes the importance of advocating for the loved ones we care for and for caregivers to reach out to others for help and support.
UCP affiliates can help support caregivers in their communities by engaging in education and outreach efforts using suggestions and materials that can be downloaded for free and/or ordered in bulk for a fee from NFC, including 10 Tips for Caregivers that is also available in Spanish, and a NFC Month Awareness Kit that includes brochures, posters, and handouts.
NFCA will offer a free national TeleClass to learn how to communicate more effectively with health care professionals. The two free one hour sessions will be November 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. ET. For more information visit www.thefamilycaregiver.org
NFCA offers some tips on how to celebrate National Family Caregivers Month in 2008:
- Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they spend time with friends, or simply relax.
- Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up a family caregiver’s day.
- Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregivers through the month of November.
- Invite family caregivers to participate in the National Family Caregivers Association’s FREE national TeleClass to learn how to communicate more effectively with health care professionals (see above for more information).
- Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards.
- Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite funny movie to view, or provide them with a book on tape.
- Find 12 different family photos and have a copy center create a monthly calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments and events.
- Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.
- Take a few minutes to write a letter encouraging your mayor, county executive, or governor to issue a local proclamation establishing November as National Family Caregivers Month. Contact information for state government officials can be found at www.firstgov.gov.
- Help family caregivers find information and resources on the internet or locate a local support group.
The NFCA Web site has a wealth of information and resources for caregivers. Please share this valuable resource with your community.
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