Iowa caregivers deserve our thanks

November is National Family Caregivers Month, which celebrates and raises awareness for the individuals providing support to a loved one with significant health needs.

According to the National Alliance of Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, nearly one in five U.S. adults are providing unpaid care for another adult with health or functional needs. And in recent years, more of these caregivers have expressed burnout and a difficulty coordinating care for their loved ones.

Now more than ever, as more Iowans are experiencing heightened mental health conditions, it is critical that caregivers have the time they need to care for themselves too.

One way caregivers can receive additional support is through respite care, which provides temporary services for individuals while their caregivers take a much-needed break. This service helps reduce caregiver stress, improves caregiver and family health and well-being, and helps avoid costly out-of-home placements.

At Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), we have provided respite care for 19 years through our Services for People with Disabilities. Families can choose to receive care in the primary caregiver’s home, the respite provider’s home, or in the community. They can select their own respite provider, including neighbors, friends, or family members. The ability to choose is especially helpful in rural parts of Iowa, where provider availability may be scarce. This program was recently recognized as one of four national Innovative and Exemplary respite service programs by the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center.

For Iowans like Gary, serving as a respite provider allows him time to bond with his family while also supporting the caregivers in his life. Gary provides respite care to his granddaughter, and he cherishes the time they get to share together through respite care. Meanwhile, he is able to support his daughter, who gets time off from serving as a primary caregiver.

Caregiving is no easy task, and we need to wrap care around our neighbors who are providing this life-changing service. Please join me in thanking the caregivers in our community, but also reach out to them. Whether it’s serving as a listening ear, offering to bring them a cup of coffee, or even becoming a respite provider for their family, we can all find ways to make a difference for the caregivers in our lives.

Cody Lewton is the director of LSI Services for People with Disabilities. Comments: Cody.Lewton@LSIowa.org