Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers

When I think of great caregivers, I think of my mom and dad. Even though they have been divorced for almost 20 years, they still take care of each other. Several years ago my father lost his right leg and sight in his left eye all in one year. My mom was there to take care of him almost every day for a year.  My mom had knee surgery this past summer and my dad was there for her during her recuperation.

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.

Let me tell you about Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers

All you have to do is 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. And please share your story with us. If you submit a 150 word or less summary of how you made a caregiver feel special and photo, you’ll be entered to win a cash prize from our $10,000 pot.

Almost 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. That’s 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.


Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Element Associates and Midlife Boulevard.