10 Ways to Assist Family Caregivers

Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they spend time with friends or simply relax.
Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up a family caregiver’s day.
Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregivers through the month of November.
Invite family caregivers to participate in the National Family Caregivers Association’s FREE national TeleClass to learn how to communicate more effectively with health care professionals.
Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards.
Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite funny movie to view, or provide them with a book on tape.
Find 12 different family photos and have a copy center create a monthly calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments and events.
Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a care-giving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.
Take a few minutes to write a letter encouraging your mayor, county executive, or governor to issue a local proclamation establishing November as National Family Caregivers Month. Contact information for state government officials can be found at www.firstgov.gov.

Help family caregivers find information and resources on the Internet or locate a local support group.