National Family Caregivers Association

Wednesday Aug 20, 2008

How Family Caregivers can Speak Up during NFC Month

In celebration of National Family Caregivers Month, we encourage family caregivers to take action to improve their own health and well being by speaking up for their rights. Here's how:

1. We invite you to become part of NFCA's Family Caregiving Community and receive information and support throughout the year. Let our Community help you: lessen the isolation that comes with being a family caregiver, provide you with skills for finding help in your community, and become a confident advocate for your loved one in healthcare settings. Becoming part of NFCA's Family Caregiver Community is easy and free. Sign up today HERE

2. Identify yourself as a family caregiver in conversations with others, including friends and family as well as healthcare professionals. You will find it very empowering.

3. Protect your own health - eat a proper diet, make time for needed health check ups, like a flu shot, and get some regular exercise a couple of times a week. Caregiving takes its toll. Speaking up for your right to take care of yourself is the most important thing you can do to help yourself and your loved one.

4. Try a support group or find another family caregiver to talk with for emotional help and practical tips. Check out NFCA's Pen Pal Network and other resources on this site regarding depression, specifically designed for you.

5. Ask for help - this is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you are overwhelmed, you have the right to restore personal boundaries and change your choices.

6. Strive to create a flexible win/win arrangement at work in which you get the time you need, and management gets the quality work it expects.

7. Wear a personalized medical ID tag so that emergency personnel know you are a family caregiver and your loved one will need help if something happens to you. (Information available at www.identifyyourself.com/nfca.)

8. Read NFCA's president and co-founder, Suzanne Mintz's new book entitled: A family caregiver speaks up - "It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard" (available on NFCA's website). A family caregiver who read her previous book said: "Suzanne Mintz helped save my life and I've never even met her."

9. Help NFCA help you by letting your elected officials know your thoughts on key issues affecting family caregivers. NFCA's E-letter will keep you up-to-date on what is happening and what you can do to add your voice to the growing number of family caregivers who are Speaking Up.

10. See something in your local community paper about healthcare, eldercare, or caregiving in general? Try to find a few minutes to send a letter to the editor and let them know about the toll family caregiving takes, and what can be done to improve the lives of caregiving families.