Let’s Support the Caregiver Assistance Campaign
The Ad Council and AARP is kicking off a program designed to encouraging all Americans to perform an unexpected ‘Random Act of Kindness’ for a caregiver. By starting a nationwide movement, we’ll raise awareness of caregiving and caregivers while at the same time reaching caregivers directly—helping to alleviate some of their daily stresses and reward them for their ongoing support.
My husband and I have our mom’s that often need help. While they still both live on their own, the amount of help is expected to increase until they both will either live with us or need full time care. This is why we are supporting the Let’s Support the Caregiver Assistance Campaign.
November is National Family Caregivers month, and the Random Acts of Kindness initiative aims to recognize and support the 40 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. Many caregivers are boomer women, often sandwiched between the needs of their parents and their own kids.
A popular misconception is that caregivers are paid medical professionals, providing full-time care to someone in need of daily help, when in reality, most caregivers are family members or friends who are also working and managing their own families at the same time.
For many, the caregiving role starts with simple things like scheduling a doctor’s visit or helping with daily errands, but gradually expands over time, until it becomes a major commitment in their lives.
[Tweet “There are many ways to give a Random Act of Kindness to a caregiver, no matter how big or small. #BeKindtoCaregivers @AARP https://bit.ly/1Gi93EO”]
How can you help?
Participating is easy. Just identify someone in your life or in your community who is serving as a caregiver and do something nice for them. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, just a small gesture that makes a caregiver’s life a little easier.
Also make sure to share their story with us. Submit a 150 word or less summary of how you made a caregiver feel special and photo, you will be entered to win a cash prize from the campaign’s $10,000 pot.
[Tweet “Every caregiver deserves a Random Act of Kindness, they work SO hard! Show them some love https://bit.ly/1Gi93EO #BeKindtoCaregivers @AARP”]Did you know that three in ten people who are caring for someone say their life has changed with caregiving, oftentimes for the negative. More than one in five say their weight, their exercise, or their social life has/have suffered. Emotionally, one in five say they are generally unhappier and one in three say they feel sad or depressed.
This is why AARP created a community where caregivers can connect with experts and other caregivers and can find information and tools to take even better care of the person who once took care of them.
[Tweet “Do you know someone caring for a family member or friend? Surprise them with a Random Act of Kindness! #BeKindtoCaregivers https://bit.ly/1Gi93EO @AARP”]Here at Simply Sherryl we would like to help you do something nice for a caregiver that you know and love. We will be giving away 5 – $10 Amazon Gift Cards. No, it isn’t much..but just a little token of appreciation can make a difference.
Enter below for your name to be drawn to select a caregiver to win one of our Amazon Gift Cards.
Have you been a caregiver to a friend or family member? What help would you recommend be made available to lighten the load?
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