Support for family caregivers

'My wife has dementia and I am going to do what I can to keep her at home.”

'My father died recently and Mom needs our help.”

'My 90-year-old uncle lives across town all alone, so someone in our family visits him every day.”

Family caregivers are some of our nation's most dedicated heroes - devoted men and women who tirelessly attend to loved ones with an illness, disability or limitations of aging. Each November, America celebrates National Family Caregivers Month to recognize and honor family caregivers across our country. From metropolitan brownstones and urban care facilities to rolling farmsteads and rural assisted living centers, family caregivers compassionately assist parents, spouses, extended family, friends and neighbors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 34 million unpaid caregivers nationwide care for someone 18 or older who is dealing with sickness or disability. These millions represent roughly 21 percent of all U.S. households.

Countless family members in our communities are providing care for their loved ones. It's an honor to work alongside these caregivers, whether it's helping with hands-on care or just providing a listening ear. Family caregivers deserve our appreciation 365 days a year.

Family caregivers come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. She may be a granddaughter stopping by her grandparents' home twice a week with fresh produce, or a son driving 300 miles every other week to take his father to his cancer treatments. Fueled by love and sacrifice, the role of a volunteer caregiver knows few limits.

Fortunately, a plethora of organizations and online resources are available to family caregivers. For a local list of caregiver services and organizations, caregivers can contact county and state government agencies such as the Department of Public Health. The social services department of hospitals and clinics or adult day care centers and faith-based agencies are other avenues for learning about services and programs.

In addition:

' Family Caregiver Alliance offers a wealth of information from tips and fact sheets to personal stories and newsletters at caregiver.org

' National Alliance for Caregiving connects family caregivers with information, videos, books and more at caregiving.org

' Medicare.gov, the official U.S. government site for Medicare, offers useful information about Medicare and other resources. The site includes links to partner organizations and essential caregiver information, such as 'What type of care is best for your loved one?” and 'What every caregiver needs to know.”

Many caregivers report having difficulty finding time for themselves, managing stress and balancing responsibilities. That's why Right at Home is sponsoring a free webinar on the topic, hosted by Dr. Eboni Green of Caregiver Support Services, for family and professional caregivers at 2 p.m. Nov. 12.

The webinar will examine the 'Caregiver Wellness: U Model,” which strengthens caregivers' social, psychological, physical, intellectual, spiritual, occupational and financial well-being and incorporates empowerment and resilience. To register, visit bit.ly/DrGreenRegistration.

' Sue Wolrab is marketing director for Right at Home Cedar Rapids, a home care company serving those aged 18 and older with activities in daily living. Wolrab also is organizer for Health 2.0 Iowa Meetup, which encourages collaboration and innovation between technology innovators and our health care community. Comments: (319) 826-6608; sue.w@rahcr.com