Contest rallies people of all ages to #BeKindToCaregivers
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — AARP’s ‘Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers’ contest is underway. The contest encourages people of all ages to recognize and reward family caregivers in their lives in small but meaningful ways, especially during National Family Caregivers Month in November.
Many family caregivers spend 18 hours per week or more providing care like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, administering medications, driving to doctor visits, or paying bills. Sixty percent of caregivers are helping care for a loved one while holding down a job at the same time. ‘Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers’ might be something as simple as doing a caregiver’s grocery shopping, taking their dog for a walk, or even cutting the lawn.
“I’ve been a family caregiver my entire adult life and I know that unexpected kindness can go a long way for a caregiver,” says AARP Family and Caregiving Expert Amy Goyer, author of the new book Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving. “If you are not one of the 40 million caregivers in the U.S. now, you either have been a caregiver or will be one in the future.”
One in every six adults is a family caregiver and surprisingly, 1 in 4 family caregivers is a Millennial (between the ages of 18 and 34). Their family caregiving stories are often filled with love and sacrifice, but may also include financial and emotional stress. Through ‘Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers,’ AARP is hoping to give family caregivers a little extra support, joy and relief.
Random Acts of Kindness’ can encourage overwhelmed caregivers, free them up to have more time with other loved ones they care for, or even give them personal time to relax and rejuvenate.
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