Families are often the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities. In fact, today in America, more than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care1. That's an economic value totaling more than $470 billion.2
That's why every November we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month. While family caregivers should be celebrated every day, this is a time to recognize and honor caregivers nationally, raise awareness around caregiving issues, educate communities, and work to increase support for our nation's caregivers.
NCOA joins Caregiver Action Network, The National Alliance for Caregiving, and Share The Care in celebrating family caregivers this November, which first began in 1994.
How to honor a family caregiver during National Family Caregivers Month
Help spread the love through NCOA's social shareables!
Caregiving happens. And everyone's experience with caregiving is unique, whether you're the one caring for a loved one, or you're on the receiving end.
Caregiving also means #CaregivingAroundtheClock, working tirelessly to keep older loved ones in their homes for as long as possible and missed sleep because of hands-on care. We hope you'll spread the love and show your support for a family caregiver by posting to your social media profile using the images we've curated for you below.
I'm a Caregiver and I'm Caring for My _________.
I'm a Caregiver ... social sharables |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Sample Messaging | |||
| Facebook (link to image download) |
My name is INSERT YOUR NAME, and I'm proud to be the #FamilyCaregiver for WHO YOU'RE CARING FOR. To me, WHO YOU'RE CARING FOR is INSERT WHY YOU LOVE THE PERSON YOU'RE CARING FOR. November is #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, and I'm celebrating by showing my pride as a ✨caregiver✨. More than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care. Being a #FamilyCaregiver is perhaps one of the most rewarding #Unpaid jobs someone can have. If you're a #Caregiver, I'm here to tell you that you are not alone, you are loved, and this month we're celebrating you! #NFCM #CaregivingAroundTheClock #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Instagram (link to image download) | Use same sample message above. | |||
| LinkedIn (link to image download) |
Being a #FamilyCaregiver is perhaps one of the most rewarding #Unpaid jobs someone can have. As one of the 53 million #Family #Caregivers, I'm proud to be caring for WHO YOU'RE CARING FOR. To me, WHO YOU'RE CARING FOR is INSERT WHY YOU LOVE THE PERSON YOU'RE CARING FOR. If you're a ✨caregiver✨, I'm here to tell you that you are not alone, you are loved, and this month we're celebrating you! #NFCM #CaregivingAroundTheClock #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Twitter (link to image download) |
More than 53 million family ✨caregivers✨ provide unpaid care. It is perhaps one of the most rewarding #Unpaid jobs someone can have, and I'm proud to care for INSERT WHY YOU LOVE THE PERSON YOU'RE CARING FOR #CaregivingAroundTheClock #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth |
|||
To Me, A Caregiver Means _________.
A Caregiver Means ... social sharables |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Sample Messaging | |||
| Facebook (link to image download) |
No two #FamilyCaregivers are alike—and neither are the loved ones being cared for. For me, #Caregiving means INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. What does it mean to you? Let’s start the conversation. 💬 Leave your thoughts in the comments and share this post to keep it going. #NFCM #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #CaregivingAroundTheClock #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Instagram (link to image download) | Use same sample message above. | |||
| LinkedIn (link to image download) |
Chances are, you or someone you know will be a #FamilyCaregiver during your lifetime. You may even benefit from someone else’s help as you age. During #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, I want to share with you comes to mind when I hear the word #Caregiving. For me, #Caregiving means INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. What about you? Tell me in the comments—then share this post to keep an important conversation going. #NFCM #CaregivingAroundTheClock #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Twitter (link to image download) |
No two #FamilyCaregivers are alike—nor are the loved ones being cared for. What comes to mind when I hear the word #Caregiving? For me, #Caregiving means INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. #CaregivingAroundTheClock #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth |
|||
I'm Celebrating Caregiving Because _________.
Celebrate Caregiving ... social sharables |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Sample Messaging | |||
| Facebook (link to image download) |
In continuation of #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, let’s give credit where it’s due. 💙 For me, I'm celebrating #Caregiving because INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. 💬 Tell me why you’re celebrating caregiving in the comments. #NFCM #CaregivingAroundTheClock #FamilyCaregivers #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Instagram (link to image download) | Use same sample message above. | |||
| LinkedIn (link to image download) |
When you’re #CaregivingAroundTheClock, it can be hard to find time to celebrate. For #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, I'm celebrating #Caregiving because INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. Let's recognize everything that’s wonderful about this work and the people who perform and benefit from it. #NFCMonth #FamilyCaregivers #NFCM #CaregivingAroundTheClock #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Twitter (link to image download) |
#CaregivingAroundTheClock is hard work. In continuation of #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, I'm giving credit where it’s due. I'm celebrating #Caregiving because INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. 💙 |
|||
If it Wasn't for My Caregiver I'd_________.
Celebrate Caregiving ... social sharables |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Sample Messaging | |||
| Facebook (link to image download) |
In continuation of #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, let’s give credit where it’s due. 💙 For me, I'm celebrating #Caregiving because INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. 💬 Tell me why you’re celebrating caregiving in the comments. #NFCM #CaregivingAroundTheClock #FamilyCaregivers #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Instagram (link to image download) | Use same sample message above. | |||
| LinkedIn (link to image download) |
When you’re #CaregivingAroundTheClock, it can be hard to find time to celebrate. For #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, I'm celebrating #Caregiving because INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. Let's recognize everything that’s wonderful about this work and the people who perform and benefit from it. #NFCMonth #FamilyCaregivers #NFCM #CaringAroundTheClock #CaregivingHappens |
|||
| Twitter (link to image download) |
#CaregivingAroundTheClock is hard work. In continuation of #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, I'm giving credit where it’s due. I'm celebrating #Caregiving because INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY. 💙 |
|||
What are the hashtags that are being used to celebrate National Family Caregivers Month?
As you've seen in the sample messaging above, hashtags that can be used are:
- #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth (annual observance hashtag, long form)
- #NFCMonth (annual observance hashtag, short form)
- #NFCM (annual observance hashtag, shortened more for Twitter)
- #CaregivingHappens (hashtag highlighting Caregiver Action Network's official theme)
- #CaregivingAroundtheClock (hashtag NCOA is supporting to highlight around-the-clock caregiving)
- #RAISEcaregiving (hashtag for ACL's RAISE activities)
- #Caregiving (larger conversation hashtag)
- #Caregiver (larger conversation hashtag)
- #FamilyCaregivers (larger conversation hashtag)
Are there video resources that highlight family caregivers?
The U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) developed this video, highlighting the "faces of caregiving"—individual family caregiver stories demonstrating the complex and demanding responsibilities that theytake on. Share it with your network and celebrate the faces of millions of parents, partners, spouses, adult and minor children, friends, and neighbors who provide billions of dollars in unpaid assistance to older adults.
What else can I do to support family caregivers?
While National Family Caregivers Month is an annual observance, one that NCOA is proud to support, we also work in support of ACL's national strategy to support family caregivers of all ages. Learn more about ACL's National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, including information about the goals and intended outcomes, four key principles to improve support for family caregivers, information on how to promote this work, and the actions individuals, organizations, and communities can take.
Sources
1. National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving in the US 2020. Found on the internet at https://www.caregiving.org/research/caregiving-in-the-us/caregiving-in-the-us-2020/
2. AARP. Valuing the Invaluable 2019 Update: Charting a Path Forward. AARP Public Policy Institute. Nov. 14, 2019. Found on the internet at https://www.aarp.org/ppi/info-2015/valuing-the-invaluable-2015-update.html
