Did you know November is National Family Caregivers Month? It’s a great time to celebrate the more than 42 million people in the U.S. that are caring for an older relative or friend. If you are a caregiver yourself or if you know one, you know that sometimes this means you need extra support.
That’s why I’m excited to be posting on behalf of AARP and the Ad Council who have just launched new public service advertisements (PSAs) that illustrate how the changing roles of parents and children can really impact your life. Since the initial launch in the fall of 2012, the Caregiver Assistance campaign has received over $72.4 million in donated media and AARP.org/caregiving has received more than 15 million visits. Per the Ad Council model, the new PSAs will air and run in advertising time and space donated by the media.
According to AARP’s research, the more than 42 million caregivers in the U.S. provide an estimated $450 billion worth of unpaid care to aging relatives and friends. Many think that caregivers are paid health professionals, providing full-time care to someone in need of daily help, when in reality, most caregivers are also working and managing their own families at the same time. This can be highly stressful work, putting caregivers at risk for depression and anxiety immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease, premature aging, among other physiological consequences, as well as causing financial problems.
It is important for all caregivers to know that AARP has created a community of experts and other caregivers to help at aarp.org/caregiving.
Here is a sampling of the resources they offer:
- Prepare to Care (Caregiving Planning Guide for Families) http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/caregiving/2012-10/prepare-to-care-lores.pdf
- 12 Resources Every Caregiver Should Know About
http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-08-2012/important-resources-for-caregivers.html - Free eBook: Juggling Work and Caregiving http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/bookstore/home-family-caregiving/juggling-work-and-caregiving/
- 10 Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays
http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-12-2013/caregiving-holiday-stress-goyer
There will be a Twitter chat that you can join as well on Thursday 11/13 at 1pm EST. Follow #CareChat and @AARPFamily. Amy Goyer (@amygoyer), AARP Family & Caregiving Expert, will be available to answer your questions
