The Transverse Myelitis Association is pleased to be an endorsing organization of National Family Caregivers Month and a part of this campaign to bring attention to the needs of family caregivers. The TMA is also proud to be a member of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA).  We encourage you to spread the word about The Caring Every Day Campaign.

The NFCA reaches out to family caregivers by celebrating National Family Caregivers Month.  NFC Month is observed every November; it is a nationally recognized month that seeks to draw attention to the many challenges facing more than 50 million family caregivers.  The NFCA advocates for stronger public policy to address family caregiving issues, and for increasing community programs that support family caregivers.

The NFCA has introduced a new theme for NFC Month, Caring Every Day.  This theme corresponds with a new campaign from NFCA, The Caring Every Day Campaign.  The Caring Every Day Campaign encourages family caregivers to take three steps every day to make their lives easier, improve care and raise awareness about their continued love and commitment.  The three steps include:

Believe in Yourself.
Protect Your Health.
Reach Out for Help.

Top 10 Ways We Can All Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month

1. Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with friends or simply relax.
2. Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up a family caregiver’s day.
3. Secure a donation from your local beauty salon or spa for a massage or manicure for a family caregiver you know, or encourage them to advertise a free service for family caregivers.
4. Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards.
5. Offer comic relief!  Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite funny movie to view, or provide them with a book on tape.
6. Find 12 different family photos and have a copy center create a calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments and events. 
7. Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.
8. Take a few minutes to write a letter encouraging your mayor, county executive, or governor to issue a local proclamation establishing November as National Family Caregivers Month.  Contact information for government officials can be found at www.firstgov.gov.
9. Become a part of the National Family Caregivers Story Project.  Encourage the family caregivers you know to share their stories at www.thefamilycaregiver.org.
10. Join the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and show your support for family caregivers.  For more information, call NFCA at (800)896-3650 or visit our Web site at www.thefamilycaregiver.org.

National Family Caregivers
Association
10400 Connecticut Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895-3944