Information & Referal: November is National Family Caregivers Month

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Helps Kick Off National Family Caregivers Month.

Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month is a nationally recognized time to thank, support, educate and empower more than 50 million family caregivers across the country, who currently provide over $375 billion in "free" care giving services.

UCP is pleased to be an official endorsing organization of NFC Month, an annual event created by the National Family Caregivers Association to bring attention to the needs of family caregivers. "We encourage people to speak up during National Family Caregivers Month," said Suzanne Mintz, NFCA president and CEO. "One of the most important attributes of being an advocate for your loved one is the ability to speak up and understand how to best communicate about their loved ones’ medication issues with health professionals."

President Obama issued an official proclamation about National Family Caregivers Month that states, "The true strength of the American family finds its roots in an unwavering commitment to care for one another. In difficult times, Americans come together to ensure our loved ones are comfortable and safe. Whether caring for a parent, relative, or child, our Nation's caregivers selflessly devote their time and energy to the well-being of those they look after. During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor the individuals providing essential services to family members who could not otherwise look after themselves."

UCP Affiliates support caregivers with a range of respite care and other support programs. Some Affiliates offer a Respitality program that combines respite services with quality hospitality services. Families benefit from the generosity of hotels and restaurants that provide free accommodations and a meal for two, during a 24-hour getaway. This "mini-vacation" weekend gives family caregivers the opportunity to rejuvenate and refresh themselves so that they may return to their families with a brighter outlook.

At the national level, UCP is actively engaged in advocacy efforts to ensure the availability of quality services and supports for caregivers and children and adults with disabilities such as the Lifespan Respite Care Act and the CLASS Act.

We encourage UCP affiliates to acknowledge and honor the family caregivers in their communities. NFCA provides tools and materials that can help you recognize caregivers and conduct outreach events:

• 10 Ways to Celebrate NFC Month
• More Ways to Celebrate NFC Month
• Order NFC Month Promotional Materials

In honor of NFC Month, the National Family Caregivers Association will be hosting a free Family Caregiver National Teleclass/Webinar on November 12 at 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST. Safe & Sound: How to Prevent Medication Mishaps is a program designed to teach family caregivers what they can do to minimize the chances that their loved one will experience an adverse drug reaction or event. Please register here or call 800-896-3650.

Additional Resources:

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Getting Safer Care
  
• Caregiving Information from Medicare
• Family Caregiving Resources from the Cooperative Extension System

For more information, please contact Lara Terrell at (202) 973-7105.