November is Nationwide Household Caregivers Month! CancerCare’s Caregiver Program Coordinator, Carly O’Brien, OSW-C, LCSW, shares her ideas on why it’s vital to have an consciousness month devoted to caregivers, and the significance of acknowledging the work that caregivers do.
Caregivers play an integral function within the care and assist of sufferers and survivors, but nonetheless go unrecognized by many. Every November, we’re given a possibility to acknowledge and thank the caregivers in our lives, as a part of Nationwide Household Caregivers Month.
When confronted with the various stresses and challenges of a critical sickness like most cancers, it may be straightforward to neglect the worth of a easy “how are you?” and the affect that it has on serving to a caregiver to really feel that their issues and their voice issues.
Happily, we get to honor these courageous and compassionate of us by asking these questions each day. By way of the companies we offer right here at Most cancersCare, most cancers caregivers have a devoted place the place their issues are heard and validated in a manner that they is probably not elsewhere, and I personally really feel fortunate to assist supply that house and meet these wants.
The theme of this yr’s consciousness month is “Caregiving Across the Clock.” This theme is becoming, as a result of between the sensible and emotional facets of this function, caregiving is actually a 24-hour a day, 7-day every week job for many.
Past all the sensible and logistical work, and as emotionally exhausting as this function can generally be, discovering which means within the expertise of supporting a cherished one with most cancers may help supply caregivers perspective, energy and aid. If you’re a caregiver, I encourage you to permit your self the time and house to absorb what this function means to you. Taking breaks while you want them, discovering time for your self and reminding your self that your wants are vital, too, may help you take advantage of out of the expertise.
For many who work with individuals with most cancers or their caregivers, I hope this month, and in your work usually, you’ll proceed to concentrate to the distinctive expertise of caregivers and can work to be aware and inclusive of their wants. Whereas they don’t have most cancers, they reside with the illness and its affect each single day.
Be taught extra about Most cancersCare’s companies and sources for caregivers.