National Caregivers Day is celebrated on the third Friday of February, which falls on the 17th this year. The day recognises people who provide personal care and physical and emotional support to those in greatest need. There are various types of carers who are not restricted to the health industry. Family carer, professional carer, independent carer, private duty carer, and informal carer are the sorts of carers. Because some of them are not constantly compensated, it is crucial to recognise and thank them for their long-term dedication.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY
Caregivers go above and above to provide the essentials, from medical assistance to personal grooming. Despite this, they are frequently underpaid or not compensated at all. In 2015, the Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies designated the third Friday in February as National Caregivers Day for this purpose. They want to designate an annual day to commemorate and honour all carers. Additionally, PAHHHA provides materials that enable others to express thanks to carers in their life. 2016 marked the first celebration of the holiday.
According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, carers spend six days per month grooming, feeding, dressing, bathing, and walking their patient, and thirteen days per month commuting, cleaning, doing the laundry, monitoring medication, shopping, and preparing special meals for their patient. In addition, thirteen hours a month are spent coordinating physician visits, studying symptoms and diseases, and managing finances.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and American Association of Retired Persons, an estimated 53 million unpaid carers provided care for an adult or child in the United States in 2020. Approximately 15% of carers are responsible for two persons, and 3% provide care for three or more adults. The Institute on Aging says that more than three-quarters of carers are female, who spend fifty percent more time than men delivering basic services.
Who will, however, care for the carers? Surprisingly, many carers are themselves elderly, and the number of hours they spend providing care only grows with age. The average age of caretakers for individuals aged 65 or older is 63 years old! They report having poor health in large numbers.
We believe that the exceptional generosity and patience of carers should be honoured throughout the year. On National Caregivers Day, when we should be there for them just as they are for our loved ones, we commemorate their value in a special way.
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Five facts about carers that will astound you
- One in four carers report that their personal relationships deteriorate as a result of their caregiving responsibilities.
- More than 53 million U.S. carers are unpaid.
- Family carers who provide assistance from a distance spend more than $8,000 annually.
- 27% of carers also provide services to the child’s parents.
- Approximately 61% of family carers are female.
NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | February 18 | Friday |
2023 | February 17 | Friday |
2024 | February 16 | Friday |
2025 | February 21 | Friday |
2026 | February 20 | Friday |