Thankful for Family Caregivers

November is National Family Caregiver Month, a time to recognize and honor family caregivers and an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities and increase support for caregivers. So many of us, whether we realize it or not, are caregivers. A National Caregiver Alliance report noted that 53 million Americans provided unpaid assistance with daily living for medical needs to an adult or a child with special needs in 2020 – the majority of whom also juggled a job or other responsibilities.

Wearing many hats can take its toll. One spouse in his late 80s recently told me, “Well, she’s high maintenance these days, repeating questions and wanting me to be nearby. She needs my attention 24/7 now.” With a chuckle he added, “I am glad I’m still capable, that I can do this for her.”

Resilience and a sense of purpose are common among family caregivers. My hope is that as a community we continue to elevate dementia caregiving as a public health priority.

The Community Resource Center for Aging (CRCA) recently had the opportunity to support an initiative of the Caregiver Action Network by distributing 500 of its Caregiver Comfort Bags (containing a fleece blanket and a Starbucks card) to local organizations that work to support family caregivers including Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, Huntington Senior Care Network, Solheim Lutheran Homes, Sparr Heights Community Center, USC-VHH’s Stepping Stones Intensive Outpatient Behavioral Health Program and the USC Family Caregiver Support Center. Sometimes it’s the little things that go a long way to showing a caregiver how important and valuable they are.

These efforts have me reflecting and feeling grateful to have helped launch the CRCA this past year during such a unique time in our collective journey. CRCA opened in October 2020 to connect older adults and their family caregivers to a broad array of home and community-based resources including meal and medication deliveries, finding safe transportation and even learning how to use Zoom. Taking a whole person and individualized approach, the CRCA recognizes that the supports needed in one season of caregiving usually ebbs into new needs as the caregiving journey is ever-changing. For example, an adult day care program may no longer be enough help for around the clock care, sometimes hiring help or a long-term care facility is needed.

The evolution of CRCA has us growing and refining our efforts to support and improve the quality of life for older adults and their families in the Foothills. With appreciation for the partnerships, your donations and the support of the Navigage Foundation, efforts are underway to better serve our region’s diverse neighborhoods. We are looking forward to bringing on two additional resource specialists at CRCA in the new year!

The current Navigating Dementia Zoom Series will wrap up with Technology Tools for Caregivers on Dec. 21 from 3-4 p.m. Please register or connect to discuss your situation by calling (818) 949-4033 or emailing Adria.Navarro@med.usc.edu.