National Caregivers Day honors millions of unpaid caregivers
National Caregivers Day, observed the third Friday in February, honors millions of Americans who provide daily care to loved ones, patients and residents often with little recognition and, in most cases, no pay, according to NationalToday.com. The observance, established in 2015 by the Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies, known as PAHHHA, was first celebrated in 2016 to recognize both professional and informal caregivers.
The scope of caregiving in the United States is vast. The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP reported that in 2020 an estimated 53 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult or child. Radiant Senior Living noted that one in five U.S. adults offers unpaid care to an adult family member.
Caregivers devote substantial time to hands-on care and household tasks. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index found caregivers spend an average of six days each month on grooming, feeding, dressing, bathing and walking those in their care, and 13 days a month on commuting, cleaning, laundry, medication monitoring, shopping and meal preparation. Another 13 hours monthly go to coordinating doctor visits, researching symptoms and managing finances, NationalToday.com reports.
Women shoulder much of the responsibility. The Institute on Aging reports more than three-quarters of caregivers are female and that women spend about 50 percent more time providing essential services than men. The National Alliance for Caregiving found that 23 percent of Americans say caregiving has harmed their health, nearly 40 percent of caregivers over age 50 describe the emotional strain as highly demanding, and 42 percent report a financial impact from caregiving duties.
Caregiving spans formal home health work and unpaid roles by family, friends and faith leaders. Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence, M.A., of the Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families, said in Psychology Today, “The well-being of a caregiver who is grieving is essential to their child’s well-being. Caregivers need space to grieve themselves and to seek the support of others.” Experts and advocacy groups cited by NationalToday.com and Radiant Senior Living encourage small gestures—a thank-you note, respite care, help with errands or simply checking in—to support caregivers. Supporters are urged to offer help and recognition year-round. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
