Support family caregivers by adding a #ThankACaregiver frame to your profile picture

November is National Family Caregivers Month. This year, Seniorlink is honoring caregivers by recognizing them as “The Heroes Among Us.” 

As part of our month-long celebration of caregivers, we are encouraging people who care for a loved one and anyone who wants to show support for these selfless individuals to add our #ThankACaregiver social media frame to their profile photo on Twitter and Facebook.

Our dream is to support and bring awareness to family caregivers across the globe, and we’d love for you to help us bring this dream to life.

To add the #ThankACaregiver frame to your profile photos, click here. https://twibbon.com/Support/thank-a-caregiver-2019

Adopting a frame to your profile photo is easy. Here is a guide on how it works.

BEFORE YOU START: Make sure you are logged in to the social media account for which you will update your profile image. (Twitter / Facebook)

Go here:

FOR TWITTER:

1. Click “Add to Twitter” button
2. You should get a pop up asking you to Authorize Twibbon to access your account? Click “Authorize app”
3. You should see your Twitter profile photo on left, click “Add the Twibbon to Twitter”
4. You’re all set!

FOR FACEBOOK:

1. Click “Add to Facebook”
2. You should see your Facebook profile photo on left, click “Create Twibbon for Facebook”
3. Click “Create Twibbon for Facebook”
4. Your profile photo with #ThankACaregiver should appear on the left
5. Click “Download Image”
6. Locate where you have downloaded the image, typically in a folder called “Downloads”
7. Upload your Twibbon image as your new profile photo to Facebook
8. You’re all set!

Thank you for joining our celebration for family caregivers this month, and if you see a caregiver on social media or in person, remember to thank them for all they do.

#ThankACaregiver

How Do You Thank a Caregiver?

National Family Caregivers Month is an excellent time to let a family caregiver know just how much they’re appreciated for everything they do. Even if you do something special for a caregiver during National Family Caregivers Month, don’t forget to recognize their efforts and let them know that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed throughout the year.

There are many thoughtful gestures you can make to show your appreciation to a family caregiver. Here are a few ways to let a caregiver know that you’re appreciative of all they do:

• Simply say, “Thank you.” Often, all it takes is simple recognition to boost a family caregiver’s spirits. Whether you pull them aside to verbally express your thanks or send a thoughtful thank you card with a handwritten, heartfelt note of thanks, any family caregiver will be moved by the gesture.
• Pick up some of the caregiving workload to give a caregiver a much-deserved break. Again, it’s often the little things that make the biggest impact. Offer to handle grocery shopping for the week, tend to some yard work, or tidy up the house to take a task off of their to-do list.
• Give a thoughtful gift. Whether for the holidays, a caregiver’s birthday, or just because, a thoughtful gift is a touching gesture. Consider a flower arrangement, a gift card to a spa or their favorite retail store or restaurant, or something handmade, such as a beautiful knitted scarf or blanket.
• Arrange for respite care. Sometimes, family caregivers need a longer break. A respite stay for an aging or disabled loved one provides a few days for caregivers to relax and recharge while the care recipient is well cared-for at an assisted living community or other residential care community. Respite care also provides an opportunity to do something nice for a caregiver, such as taking them out for lunch or dinner and a movie.

During National Family Caregivers Month, recognize family caregivers and all that they do by adding our #ThankACaregiver social media frame to your profile photos on Twitter and Facebook. It’s a great way to raise awareness and honor caregivers as “The Heroes Among Us.”  Show your support for family caregivers by adding our #ThankACaregiver social media frame to your profile photos to let caregivers know that their tireless efforts don’t go unnoticed.

History of National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Caregivers Month began in the mid-1990s and was first recognized as National Family Caregivers Week. On November 1, 2012, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed the month of November National Family Caregivers Month for the first time.

The expansion to National Family Caregivers Month marked a growing awareness of the contribution family caregivers make in caring for the aging and disabled population. More than 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child within the last 12 months, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, accounting for an estimated value of $470 billion in services 2013 – a figure that’s steadily climbing as the population ages and more family members take on the role of providing care for aging or disabled loved ones.

Why It’s Important to #ThankACaregiver During National Family Caregivers Month

The truth is, the services provided by family caregivers are invaluable. They work tirelessly, often juggling part-time or full-time work with family responsibilities and caregiving, attending to the needs of their loved ones around the clock. Caregiving takes a physical and emotional toll on caregivers, yet devoted family caregivers often sacrifice their own needs to ensure that their loved one’s needs are met.

Caregivers give tirelessly of themselves, neglecting their own self-care while often bottling up feelings of stress and anxiety. Despite their constant presence in their loved one’s life, it’s not uncommon for caregivers to feel unrecognized and unappreciated. That’s why it’s important to take the time to #ThankACaregiver, not only during National Family Caregivers Month, but every day. Even a simple, “Thank you for all you do,” can make a world of difference.