In Support of Caregivers

Although the term used to refer to family and close friends assisting a loved one with medical routines, daily living activities and emotional support is ‘informal caregiver,’ the role is far from informal. Information, tools and skills are needed to manage the complex demands of caregiving. The Family Caregiver Alliance is a resource for caregivers. FCA offers practical care strategies, stress relief, available community resources, how to handle family issues, as well as respite care. For this and other caregiver education, check out the variety of materials complied by the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Every month of the year, not just November, could be deemed National Family Caregiver Month. Caregivers need and deserve continued support. What they don’t need is added anxiety and uncertainty from untested Medicare payment models that could jeopardize patient access to care close to home, increase patients’ out of pocket costs, undermine personalized patient treatment plans and burden family caregivers. Join with Patients and Providers United in telling policymakers to keep patients, providers and caregivers at the center of medical decision making.