Giving Thanks to Caregivers

Over the past few days, you’ve either been preparing dishes and welcoming family into your home, or traveling to spend Thanksgiving with said family. The week of Thanksgiving (and if we’re being realistic, the remainder of the year), is a hectic time for many seniors. Between family obligations and functions with friends, attending to one’s personal care needs can seem impossible without a caregiver.

While giving thanks to caregivers is something that we should make a point to do all year long, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to express just how much your caregiver means to you.

Your caregiver is here to support you

If you’ve had a caregiver for any length of time, you are completely aware of the positive impact they make on your life. Leading up to the holidays, they may run to the store to pick up whatever groceries you need for your big meals. They may help you prepare them so you don’t have to worry about exhausting yourself before having guests over. If you struggle with bathing, they’ll provide the dignified help you need to look and feel your best.

Your caregiver may be a family member who, in addition to working and rearing their own family, offers you assistance on a daily basis. They may be a paid professional you were connected to through a caregiving agency. However you found your at-home caregiver, they now play a crucial part in your life. They allow you to live comfortably and confidently in your own home.

Giving thanks to caregivers

This Thanksgiving, make sure your caregiver knows just how important they are to you. Just as they offer you care and support, they deserve similar emotional support. So, take time out of your busy schedule to show them how much they mean to you. Write a letter that expresses in detail your gratitude for their help. You could even sit them down and tell them face-to-face.

These gestures may seem small, but you would be surprised just how far kind words stretch. Moments like that are moments your caregiver will cherish forever. They serve as a reminder that, even on the most difficult days, their actions are noticed and appreciated. A small act of kindness can truly transform their holiday season.

Home Care Powered by AUAF can help

If your loved one currently acts as your unpaid caregiver, that can change. At Home Care Powered by AUAF, we train family caregivers in the correct protocols so they can receive compensation for their work. If they’ve had to take time off work to act as a caregiver, this will be a weight off their shoulders. Not to mention, you’ll benefit from superior standards of love and care.

For nearly 30 years, Home Care Powered by AUAF has assisted seniors in the greater Chicago area with the non-medical activities of daily living, and we would be happy to work with you too. For more information, call us at 773-274-9262.