Are You A Family Caregiver?
Are you picking up medicine from pharmacy for someone? Cooking meals for someone? Assisting someone to get dressed? Accompanying someone to doctors’ appointments? Assisting with paying monthly bills? Moved in with a loved one or moved them into your home because they can no long live at home alone?
Family Caregivers are persons who provide unpaid care or assistance to those with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. This may include a family of origin, church family, a friend, neighbor or co-worker. Family Caregivers are committed to sacrificing their time and love for the benefit of other.
National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize and show appreciation to family caregivers, increase the awareness about the challenges and concerns of family caregivers and promote self-identification and self-care. In addition to getting the attention of policy makers, healthcare providers and program developers of caregivers programs as a means to assure that the needs and considerations of family caregivers are heard.
In honor National Family Caregiver Month, Caregivers Outreach Ministry Empowerment (C.O.M.E.) will host its 12th Annual Family Caregiver Recognition Award Celebration on Saturday, November 10, 2018. The Master of Ceremonies will be Debi Jackson and special guest performers.
Eleven family caregivers will be honored this year with the Leon David Simmons Caregivers Recognition Award. Each honoree will receive a tabletop plaque and a spa certificate. We believe that Caregivers need caring too! Let us take the time out of our busy schedules to give honor to family caregivers. Take a moment to encourage a family caregiver with encouraging words or a hug. Invite a caregiver to take a few hours away from their caregivers’ responsibilities. It will be a day to remember.
2018 Leon David Simmons Honorees: Sharon Robinson, Chestnut Ridge NY, Denise Lewis, Queen NY, Andre Horton Bronx NY, Alexis White, NY NY, John DeMartino Larmont NY, Aisha Shabrazz, NY NY, Ena Thompson, Cambria Heights NY, Susan Robinson, Newburgh NY, Michael Johnson, Bronx NY, LaMika Hughes, Congers New York, Congers New York, Jacqueline Benjamin Tomlinson, Bronx NY
Tips for Family Caregivers
Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!
Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one
Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
Inform your doctor about your caregiver’s role.
Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
Watch out for signs of depression and don't delay in getting professional help when you need it.
Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
Organize medical information so it's up to date and easy to find.
Make sure legal documents are in order
Believe In Yourself. Trust your instinct
Speak Up for your Rights
Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is. You are not alone.
"The greatest among us is that of a servant." Mathews 23:11
