The Heart of Caregiving: A Month to Honor the ContributionS of Family Caregivers
Lindsay Marcal, Director, Membership
National Family Caregivers Month is observed in November to recognize and honor the contributions of family caregivers. The National Health Council (NHC) is particularly focused on recognizing caregivers for people living with chronic diseases and disabilities.
Caregivers provide much more than help with basic needs. Caregivers also act as a voice for those who may not be able to fully advocate for themselves, such as for children or older adults. Particularly in care for older adults, the role of caregiver can be complex and evolve over time.
The health and well-being of caregivers themselves also deserves greater attention. National Caregiving Month can serve as a reminder for employers to ensure their human resources policies and organizational culture account for the demands on caregivers.
The NHC has been following developments with the potential reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA), which includes provisions for caregivers. The NHC also encourages actions to promote equity for marginalized populations of family caregivers as part of our commitment to achieving health equity, and prioritizes meaningful access to affordable health care for patients given the link between the high costs of care and the burden on family caregivers.
Several NHC members provide support and resources for family caregivers throughout the year, and engage in efforts to raise awareness of the challenges caregivers face:
American Association of Caregiving Youth
National Alliance for Caregiving
Many NHC members who focus on a specific patient community or provide other services also provide support to caregivers, including but not limited to:
Brain Injury Association of America
