November is National Caregivers Month, a time when we celebrate the extraordinary work done quietly everyday by those who provide direct services for our elderly and other family members with disabilities. This annual observation is a great opportunity to remind ourselves of the needs of our aging seniors and the special ministry of those who care for them. 

To better appreciate the contribution that caregivers make to our society, we must first understand a little about those whom they serve. While the U.S. population is growing, our senior population is accelerating much more rapidly and so is the demand for senior care services. Unfortunately, aging brings with it increased incidence of chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke, all of which tend to limit independent activity and require daily personal assistance. 

As seniors progress from their 60’s to their 70’s and 80’s, their dependence on others to help with basic activities such as dressing, walking, preparing meals, eating and personal hygiene increases progressively. While 9% of seniors in their late 60’s, for instance, need help with at least one of these daily activities, almost 50% of those over 85 require such help.  

The large majority of our seniors and disabled adults receiving daily care continue to live at home or in residential settings (as opposed to nursing homes).  They almost always prefer to remain living in place with family and friends and with as much independence as they can manage.  The caregivers who make this possible by tending to those with physical and cognitive limitations are also satisfying the deeply spiritual yearning we all have to enjoy community, exercise our full human potential and maintain personal dignity. 

Paid Caregivers 

Most of us think readily of paid caregivers who come into the home at scheduled times to perform defined tasks. Paid caregivers are either arranged through government agencies and private health care companies or are engaged directly by their clients. Paid caregivers generally receive low wages for difficult work and have little prospect for career advancement. Even so, most are incredibly generous of spirit as they develop close bonds with their clients and sometimes become the main point of contact an aging senior or disabled adult has with the outside world. 

The Foundation for Senior Living employs several hundred associates who provide personal and health-related services to home bound seniors and go the extra mile to bring cheer, companionship and often food and household supplies from the FSL Pantry. We also operate multiple adult day health care centers where seniors can receive caring attention, providing respite to their family members and enabling them to continue their in-home life style. 

Family Caregivers 

Almost 80% of in-home care to aging seniors and adults with disabilities is provided by family caregivers, including spouses, adult children, close friends, neighbors and volunteers.  These “informal” caregivers assume their responsibilities as a result of sudden illness or gradual decline of a loved one. Almost all are motivated by an intensely personal calling to perform what can only be called “holy work.”  

Unfortunately, few family caregivers are prepared for the demands of their new role. They struggle to learn about their loved one’s medical circumstances, deliver 24 by 7 health and personal care, and provide assurance and emotional support. Most family caregivers must also continue to perform their duties at work and nourish other family relationships.  

The great majority of family caregivers are women, the oldest daughter taking care of parents, or the wife taking care of parents-in-law or a husband with chronic illness. Women in our society are naturally expected to serve as caregivers and thus suffer disproportionately from the physical, emotional, social and financial stresses that accompany the role of caregiver. 

How we can help  

As we celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of our caregivers, let us first and foremost seek to understand the challenges they face and find opportunities to support their efforts. Sometimes merely acknowledging out loud the difficulty and dignity of the role they play can give a caregiver renewed respect and strength.  

Small acts of practical assistance can also make a big difference. I encourage us all to seek out caregivers in our community and offer small but powerful acts of kindness, from a hot meal to an offer to “babysit” while the caregiver takes a few hours off for personal renewal. If someone else in your own family (likely a wife or an adult sister) has taken on the role of primary caregiver for a loved one, consider ways in which you can acknowledge and support them in that holy ministry.  

And let us remember that each of us is likely to play the role of either caregiver or dependent loved one in our own personal future.

Guy Mikkelsen is president and CEO of the Foundation for Senior Living. For more information, visit www.fsl.org.