Date: November 3, 2006
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbara.conant@aging.ks.gov
Director of Public Affairs
(785) 296-6154
Governor Kathleen Sebelius has proclaimed November as Family Caregiver Awareness Month as an opportunity to thank and recognize the more than 256,000 family caregivers in Kansas.
According to a study by the National Family Caregivers Association, Kansans spend 275 million hours a year caring for older relatives, neighbors and friends. The value of that care exceeds $2.4 billion.
“Caring for an older person is demanding, both physically and emotionally,” said Kathy Greenlee, Acting Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging. “Observance of this month is a way to recognize the importance and great value of caregivers’ services. It also helps raise awareness of the challenges caregivers face and how they can cope with those challenges.”
At the top of the list is the challenge for caregivers to take care of their own health. According to the Administration on Aging, caregivers are more at risk for infectious diseases, such as colds and flu, and chronic diseases, such as heart problems, diabetes and cancer. Depression is twice as common among caregivers as non-caregivers.
In addition to making sure they are immunized and getting regular check-ups, the AoA advises caregivers to make some time each day to do something for themselves, such as reading, listening to music, telephoning a friend or exercising. And they shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program, which was part of the Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in 2000, provides funds to aging service provider networks to help family caregivers with such things a respite, individual counseling, support groups and supplemental services. More information about those services is available from the area agencies on aging.