Caring for Ourselves as Well as Others
November is National Family Caregivers’ Month, and we invite you to join us in recognizing and honoring family caregivers in our community and beyond. The annual campaign is a nationwide effort to increase awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and build strong foundations of support for caregivers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2020, more than 11 million caregivers provided over 15.3 billion hours of unpaid care in the U.S. alone. Nearly half of all caregivers are over age 50, many are vulnerable to a decline in their own health. Studies show that coordinated support services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress, and enable them to provide care longer, which avoids or delays the need for costly institutional care.
November is also National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, and as we shine the light on family caregivers, we must also share our concern regarding the growing public health crisis that is heavily impacting families in Maine.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death for adults aged 65 years and older, and the sixth leading cause of death for all adults. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. It is a progressive brain disorder, More than 6.2 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that number is projected to surpass 13.8 million, more than doubling, by 2060.
Maine is an aging state, and with a significant number of older residents living with Alzheimer’s, the emotional and financial burdens on family caregivers are very high. According to recent data shared by the Alzheimer’s Association in this infographic:
29,000 people aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s in Maine
10.5% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline
46,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Maine
Though research is ongoing, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease at present. Click here to learn more about risk factors, early symptoms, and resources for families and caregivers navigating Alzheimer’s.
We want to celebrate family and friends who care for someone in their lives! As caregivers, you do so much and it is so appreciated. Make sure you take time to care for yourself, too!
Here are five simple ways to care for yourself as you support others.
Learn and use stress-reduction techniques, e.g. meditation, prayer, yoga, tai chi, spending time outdoors, and socializing.
Attend to your own healthcare needs.
Get proper rest and nutrition.
Exercise regularly, even if only for 10 minutes at a time.
Take time off without feeling guilty.
Explore more tools and resources for self-care and caregiving here.
Thank you for all that you do!