Dear Caregivers,

National Caregivers Day is observed on Feb. 17 this year. The day honors individuals who selflessly provide personal care, along with physical and emotional support to those who need it most. 

Below are some interesting facts about caregivers from agingcare.com:

• 53 million Americans are providing unpaid care for relatives and friends 
• Caregiver gender: 61% female; 39% male 
• Caregiver age: 54% of family caregivers are age 50 or older (average age is 49.4 years old) 
• Caregiver employment status: 61% employed; 39% not employed 
• Number of care recipients: 76% care for one adult; 24% care for two or more adults 
• Family caregivers provide an average of 23.7 hours of care each week. This number goes up substantially for those whose care recipients live with them (37.4 hours per week), making caregiving the equivalent of a full-time job. 
• In addition to providing hands on physical and medical care, caregivers provide comprehensive support systems for older adults. They are advocates who often help research long-term care solutions, resources and benefits. They communicate with health care providers, respond to emergencies and make difficult care decisions regarding their loved ones’ health and finances. Family caregivers are also a vital source of social interaction and emotional support. While these tasks do not fall into a neat category, they are necessary for delivering quality care and require a great deal of time, patience and determination. 

Please take time to take care for yourself. Below are some ways to do this:

• Consider attending the senior centers in Calvert County. Most of our programs are for adults 50 and over. If possible, bring the person you are caring for and join an activity together. 
• Join a support group.
• Get supportive counseling.
• Make an appointment for a free caregiver consultation to learn what resources may be available to you.