YOU! HAVE THE POWER | Sharing our flowers now

BY DR. ELLEN W. BROWN

November is National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month. 

How many of you have heard about this? I had not, and I am grateful for the discovery that helped me narrow down this month’s topic. In November 1997, President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation recognizing National Family Caregivers Week. 

Are you a caregiver? Have you been one in the past? Is there a caregiver in your life? A dedicated caregiver, whether a woman or a man, can change attitudes, deepen understanding, and even transform lifestyles. 

Caregiving is certainly not limited to women. I watched my husband attend to every detail when his mother became ill. He anticipated what the family needed to keep her comfortable and listened to the women in the family as he determined what to do next. I also watched my own father provide that same level of care for my mother when she became bedridden.

Well-Deserved Recognition 

In November 1997, President Bill Clinton recognized National Family Caregivers Week. In 2024, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation recognizing November as National Family Caregivers Month, extending the recognition to a month-long observance.

Empowering Your Own Power 

Women often establish the caregiving routines that become the foundation for providing support, but men are just as important. Together, we can develop a fuller understanding and appreciation of the unity that emerges when it is time to step up and do the work. Everyone’s help is needed to achieve the best possible outcome! 

Women often jump into action, ready to help. But consider situations in which families cannot provide all the extended care and attention a loved one needs. The Caregiver Action Network offers resources and support to help caregivers navigate these challenges.

Recognizing Who We Are as Caregivers 

Women are often expected to become caregivers simply because they are women. However, anyone who cares can become a caregiver and make a meaningful difference. Men can be — and are — caregivers, too. Each of us has something valuable to share with someone who needs care and support.

Resources 

Family members are often the first and primary source of support for loved ones who need care. That support can take many forms — including transportation, Meals on Wheels deliveries, medical assistance, and access to the valuable senior centers available in many communities. 

Sharing strengthens our collective voice. We welcome your ideas, questions, and stories to enhance the Voice. Send to me at ebrown.nci@gmail.com