November is long-term care awareness month, which makes it a great time to recognize and celebrate those who help enrich the lives of people who need assistance with daily tasks. If you want to find some creative ways to do that, look no further than these 5 ways provided by Elder Care Alliance.
About National Long-Term Care Awareness Month
Long-term care awareness month is a period designated to bring awareness to the need for long-term care planning. Originally dedicated in 2001 by the American Association for Long-Term Care Assistance, it is a great time to start planning for possible future care needs and honor the people in your life that provide or receive care.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, over 8.3 million people receive some sort of long-term care each year. That does not include those who get help from a family member or friends. Without help, these individuals would be unable to live full lives with dignity.
However, long-term care is expensive. It can also be stressful. Planning for it ahead of time removes some of that stress. Recognizing the importance of it is an important first step.
4 Ways To Support Long-Term Care Awareness Month
Now that you know a little about the state of long-term care, you can begin exploring ways to acknowledge long-term care awareness month. The following suggestions offer excellent opportunities to do that while also celebrating care givers and receivers.
1. Celebrate Caregivers
Take the time to recognize and thank caregivers in your life or community. If you need some ideas to help you get started, consider providing a catered lunch for the staff at a local nursing home or treating a family caregiver to a spa day. These gestures can really brighten the day of those who routinely care for others.
2. Support a Local Organization
If you have a local nursing home or assisted living facility in your neighborhood, see how you can support them. Many can use help with things like supply drives, fundraisers, and teachers for classes. Find one that has needs you can meet and partner with them to help enrich the lives of those receiving care.
3. Establish a Long-Term Care Plan
There isn’t a much better way to honor the occasion than to plan for your own future care needs. Sit down with an attorney and develop a plan for your own care. Include your wishes for medical support and types of living arrangements. Also, consider the cost and see if long-term care insurance is a good choice for you.
4. Show Support on Social Media
Take your awareness and support online by sharing how long-term care has impacted you on social media. Some ideas for thoughtful posts include:
- Include the hashtag #LongTermCareAwarenessMonth on your November posts
- Post stories about how a care provider improved your life or that of a loved one
- Share pictures of caregivers at work
If you do share pictures of caregivers at work, make sure to get permission from them and their clients first. Remember, even small gestures can mean a lot.
Compassionate Long-Term Care at Elder Care Alliance
Elder Care Alliance provides compassionate care and appropriate living arrangements for older adults. We offer skilled nursing, assisted living, and 55 and over apartments. We can also help with care coordination. Contact us to learn more.
