National Family Caregivers Month is about celebrating and showing our gratitude for family caregivers, both near and far. It is our chance to publicly or privately shine the spotlight on these wonderfully giving individuals.
Here is an excerpt from President Obama’s Proclamation about National Family Caregivers Month, 2009:
The true strength of the American family finds its roots in an unwavering commitment to care for one another. In difficult times, Americans come together to ensure our loved ones are comfortable and safe. Whether caring for a parent, relative, or child, our Nation’s caregivers selflessly devote their time and energy to the well-being of those they look after. During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor the individuals providing essential services to family members who could not otherwise look after themselves . . . . I encourage all Americans to pay tribute and support those who are caring for their family members, friends, and neighbors in need of assistance.
What You Can Do
If you know a caregiver, please take time to thank them for all they are doing for their care recipients(s). And then take it a step further and ask what you can do for them — whether it be pampering them (manicure, pedicure, massage, hair salon appointment?), doing errands or chores for them, and or providing them with some needed time away (also known as respite) from their responsibilities to enjoy themselves in whatever way they so choose.
And what would be even better is to continue this practice all year round — not just this month.
Opportunities to Win Prizes for Caregivers this Month
TENA, an incontinence care company, asked me to announce its first “Caregivers Night Out” sweepstakes.
From October 19th to November 30th, 2009, caregivers from all over the nation can enter to win $100 to spend on an evening out at their favorite Olive Garden ® or Outback Steakhouse ® family of restaurants. Over forty winners from across the U.S. will be announced on November 30th.
To enter the contest caregivers should visit TENA’s site and share a tip or piece of advice about caregiving with others, which may be featured in future TENA email blasts or on their web site. With over 54 years of experience, TENA is the worldwide leader in the management of incontinence, providing products and services for individuals and healthcare service providers in over 90 countries.
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If you are on Facebook there is another contest where you can win a prize for a special caregiver in your life!
Become a Facebook Fan of Care.com and write on their wall about your “Care Hero.” By doing so you automatically enter your caregiver into their contest to win him or her a night out worth $500.
Care.com will select three Finalists each week in November. Each Finalist will receive a $100 dining gift certificate and each Finalist’s nominator will receive a free 3-month membership to Care.com. (Editor’s Note: The first week’s Finalists have already been selected, so enter ASAP to enter for the remaining two weeks of judging.)
At the end of the month, Care.com will select one Grand Prize Winner from among the 12 Finalists. The Grand Prize Winner will receive:
- $500 in dining, entertainment, and hotel gift certificates
- A bag of goodies from Care.com
- The Grand Prize Winner’s nominator will receive a $100 dining gift certificate and a bag of goodies
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Forward this post on now to any caregivers you know or to the families of care recipients so they can enter the contests during National Family Caregivers Month. Please let me know if you hear of other contests like these going on in November so I can let the TLeC community know about them, too. Thank you!
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