Care for Caregivers

November is National Family Caregivers Month. A time to celebrate and honor caregivers, this month is also a reminder of the physical, mental and emotional toll on family caregivers and the sacrifices they make each and every day. According to AARP, 19 percent of adults in the U.S. are providing care to another adult. This amounts to more than 37 billion hours of unpaid care each year. Helping with everyday tasks like grocery shopping, taking loved ones to doctor’s appointments, and even assisting with important activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and medication management – caregivers do it all! Let’s remember to give them an extra “thanks” during National Family Caregivers Month.

Here are some ideas for finding respite if you are a caregiver, or helping the caregivers in your life:

• Schedule time off – Schedule a regular time for rest. Work with family members and other networks of support to provide a day, or even a couple of hours, off from providing care. It is important for caregivers to rest and recharge in order to avoid burnout.
• Seek support – Join a caregiver’s support group or talk with family members and friends who also have experience as a caregiver. Caregiving is extremely rewarding, but can also be stressful. Speaking with others that are in a similar situation can help a caregiver feel less alone and gain insights and ideas.
• Leverage helpful tools and resources – There are many different platforms and tools to help family caregivers keep track of appointments, medications and more, as well as share information with family members and loved ones involved in the care. Additionally, certified care managers can assist with things like vetting home health aides, recommending changes to make the home more accessible, and navigating other care needs.

We have resources to help plan, manage and coordinate the care of you and your loved ones. Please reach out to us if you are interested in learning more. Our team is here to help.

Content provided by Raymond James Longevity Ever After Quarterly Newsletter for use by Eliot M. Weissberg, CFP®, CFS, of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. The Investors Center, Inc. is an independent company. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from various sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Eliot Weissberg and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice.

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