What is important about National Family Caregivers Month?

Juli Henderson
Nov 11
2 min read

Updated: Nov 12

November is already here, and once again I want to bring attention to the over 63 million Americans who provide unpaid care for their loved ones with disabilities, special needs, and aging-related challenges. Yes, if you haven’t already grasped that statistic, hold onto your hat and let’s digest it together.

Who are these caregivers we honor this month? They are isolated parents caring for children with disabilities, weary spouses supporting their loved one with illness or injury, siblings obligated to stay and offer care to another sibling, or adult children offering care to aging parents. They are often the ones serving as advocate, driver, chef, housekeeper, nurse, financial advisor, therapist, minister, and friend.

I didn’t know I was a “caregiver” for many years while caring for our son, Robert. I thought I was just his mom. I didn’t know there were thousands like me! Some caregivers don’t recognize they are actually doing this work. They just step in and fill the gaps but never identify themselves as unpaid family caregivers. That narrative needs to be rewritten to give room for unpaid family members to count themselves in this group and be encouraged to ask for help.

The importance of National Family Caregivers Month is to validate the caregiver journey and advocate on their behalf for national support. I am using my voice to shout loudly to every caregiver: “I see you, I value you, and you are not alone!”

So this month, do more to recognize the caregivers in your community. If you see one, or you know one, or you are one, acknowledge this sacrificial position and offer grace … even to yourself.

I remind us all:

“There are only four kinds of people in the world:

those who have been caregivers,

those who are caregivers,

those who will be caregivers,

and those who will need caregivers.”

(Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter)