November is National Family Caregivers Month

November 03, 2023

National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers around the country, and is spearheaded by the Caregiver Action Network, a nonprofit organization that provides free education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers.

These caregivers, who devote immeasurable time, energy, and resources, are celebrated as selfless individuals who consistently dedicate themselves to providing loved ones with the care and support they need to live in their own homes and communities.

Celebrating family caregivers enables all of us to:

• Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
• Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
• Educate family caregivers about self-identification
• Increase support for family caregivers

For NFCM 2023, the #CaregiversConnect campaign highlights the importance of connections—as a way to get information about a loved one’s disease or condition, share experiences, and get support from the surrounding community.

HAP, through the Person and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), has been working with hospitals to ensure that family caregivers are included as a vital part of the health care team. Research shows that when patients and families are involved in patient care, there are less emergency department visits, fewer readmissions, greater compliance in the treatment plan, and health care costs are lowered.

For more information about National Family Caregivers Month, and other patient-and-family-centered care efforts, contact HAP’s Janette Bisbee.