It's a request for assistance. It's a call for action to help America's family caregivers. The complex picture of care giving in America is being painted every day by about 25 million people who provide long-term help to wives, husbands, parents, children, friends and other loved ones. Family caregiver work is for no pay. Helping with physical assistance from going to the bathroom and coping with treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to going to the drug store, monitoring medical devices, cooking the meals, shopping and watching the children.
Family caregivers are the underpinnings of our healthcare system.
We share a common bond with each other despite the fact that some of us care for our spouses, while others care for parents, children, siblings or lovers, and despite the fact that we deal with a wide array of medical conditions and diagnoses. We are a diverse group of people of all ages and from all walks of life, some new caregivers, some just anticipating becoming caregivers and for others who it has become a way of life. Your ongoing hope, strength and courage can be yours during difficult and troubling times. I can take anything that comes along. The gift of today and ongoing hope is for you to celebrate each day.