Let’s All Care about National Caregivers Month.

During November, National Caregivers Month, let’s recognize and honor those that care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend. Words cannot capture the deep appreciation felt for those that sacrifice their time, resources and capabilities to care and comfort another. Caregivers are an extension of medical providers’ eyes and ears, noticing even the most subtle improvement or decline between medical appointments. Caregivers may wear many hats including “nurse,” financial manager, “psychologist,” chef, housekeeper, driver, grocery shopper, medical appointment companion and medication guide.

Family caregivers selflessly give, not out of obligation, but love. The Parkinson’s Resource Organization compiled a list of ways to express gratitude and support for family caregivers. Patients and Providers United echoes calls to support caregivers; they are a vital part of the care team. Along with providing caregivers respite and emotional support, their paths should be cleared of bureaucratic hurdles that restrict or delay access to clinically effective personalized treatment plans for their loved ones. Utilization management policies – Prior Authorization, Step Therapy and White Bagging –interfere with the care that doctors prescribe for their patients, adding unneeded anxiety and uncertainty for patients and burdening family caregivers. Patients and Providers United continues to advocate to keep patients, providers and caregivers at the center of medical decision making, not health plan middlemen driven by cost containment goals.