Family caregivers: Care comes home

The 90 million family caregivers in the United States are providing care every day for their loved ones. While medical and residential facilities are important components in caregiving, most care occurs in the home. In November, National Family Caregivers Month recognizes and honors this contribution with the 2014 theme ?Care Comes Home.?

?Caregiving at home can take a toll on a caregiver,? said Donna Donald, a human sciences specialist in family life with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. ?Complex care happens in the home, with up to 70 percent of family caregivers managing medications and about half performing sophisticated medical or nursing tasks.?

Two out of five adults in the U.S. are family caregivers and 39 percent of all adult Americans are caring for a sick or disabled loved one, according to the Caregiver Action Network. The network coordinates National Family Caregivers Month every November as a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers.

?Caregiving affects the whole family and many have to make changes at home because of their caregiving responsibilities,? Donald said. ?This includes making home alterations, adjusting work schedules and limiting personal lifestyles.?

ISU Extension and Outreach offers educational resources for family caregivers. Caregivers who thrive, rather than just survive, understand that by taking care of themselves they are better able to provide the care their loved ones need, Donald said.