Giving Thanks to Those Who Give Care

November is National Family Caregivers Month. It’s a great time to recognize and honor all the people who care for family, friends, and neighbors who have physical or other needs. This year’s theme, “Care Connects Us,” is very appropriate, as caring for others is a common, human instinct no matter what our other differences may be.

Maybe, like me, you have friends who are providing caregiving to family members. I know three such people. I see how intense it is, and how it has really changed their lives. With all that they do, they are still happy to help their loved ones and keep them at home. But it takes a toll, physically, financially, and emotionally.

This invisible workforce is caring for the growing number of older adults and people with disabilities in our country. Those who need care could have physical or cognitive issues, such as Parkinsons, dementia, and autism. A new AARP Public Policy Institute report called “Valuing the Invaluable” finds that 59 million family caregivers provide care. That care is valued at over $967 billion in private sector health care costs and $932 billion in Medicaid spending.

The demand is growing as our population ages. At some point in our lives, many of us may become caregivers, either for someone with a short-term disability or for someone who is permanently disabled. We may become someone in a “sandwich situation,” meaning we are caring for an elderly relative as well as younger children. Another recent report, “Caregivers in Crisis,” found that 77% of caregivers surveyed said they feel financially overwhelmed by caregiving; 57% said they had to reduce their work hours just to care for their loved one; and 11% had to quit their job entirely. That was the case for one of my friends when her 95-year-old mom with dementia came to live with her.

What are some ways to help caregivers?

Healthcare providers can help connect families to critical resources by starting the conversation and asking who is there to help at home and pointing them in the direction of trusted resources.

Senior and community centers provide family caregiver support groups and resources to help them navigate the maze of funding sources and requirements so that they can get paid in-home help a few hours a week. Many centers offer respite care so caregivers can get a much-needed break, even for a few hours.

Friends can also be in the loop to give support, even just a phone call or short visit, to let the caregiver know they care.

Organizations like the Caregiver Action Network often lead awareness campaigns this month, providing educational materials and advocacy tools. AARP offers extensive online guides, helplines, and events, such as the ones listed below that are free and don’t require that you are an AARP member.

Another important way to help is through advocacy for more federal and state funds to provide caregiver services. The Advocacy 101 article in this issue gives some information about the Washington Health Home Program. This program addresses the needs of people with complex health issues and their caregivers. It is being discussed in the next state legislative session.

It may be just a coincidence that National Family Caregiver month occurs in the same month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, a day we show our gratitude for all the people who mean a lot to us and the benefits that we have enjoyed throughout the year. It gives us all the opportunity to seek out and show our gratitude to a family caregiver in whatever way we can, in direct support or advocacy.

AARP online events this month:

Caregiving in Rural America: The Heart of Community
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 4:30 p.m. Pacific
Register for this event

Family Caregiving Conversation: The Cost of Care
Thursday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. Pacific
Register for this event 

Rising Costs and Caregiving Challenges
Monday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. Pacific
Register for this event 

Additional caregiving events
Explore all upcoming events

Contributor Alex O’Reilly chairs the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services. She welcomes input from readers via email (advisorychair@agewisekingcounty.org).

Mark Your Calendars

The following are upcoming events of interest:

• Legacy of Love caregivers event: Saturday, Nov. 7 (10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.). Museum of Flight (9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle, WA) Please join us in celebrating and honoring the vital role of African American family caregivers in our communities! Come listen to panels, participate in live Q+As, connec with resources, eat a catered lunch, connect with others, and enjoy the museum. Register at tinyurl.com/caregiversforum2026 for this free event. For more information or to request accessibility accommodations, please contact Sherry.Wu@seattle.gov or Eldad.Mekuria@seattle.gov.
• Civic Coffee: Caregiver Support: Thursday, Nov. 12 (1 p.m.–2 p.m.). Southeast Seattle Senior Center (4655 S. Holly St., Seattle, WA 98119) or online. Contact agefriendly@seattle.gov for more information.
• ADS Advisory Council Meeting: Friday, Nov. 13 (12 p.m.–2 p.m.) virtual meeting. To receive the meeting link and information, email michael.adusah@seattle.gov in advance.