5 Ways to Celebrate Caregivers on National Caregivers Day 2024
National Caregivers Day was founded by the Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies and was first observed in 2016. It’s celebrated around the nation on the third Friday of every February. This year it will be on February 16th, 2024. The day is spent honoring all healthcare professionals across the country providing long-term and hospice care. On average caregivers spend 13 days each month on simple tasks like shopping, housekeeping, transportation, and administering medication, and six days are spent feeding, dressing, grooming, bathing, and assistance going to the bathroom.
Even if they are only physically with their patients during part of the day, caregivers work around the clock researching information about the disease, coordinating doctor visits, and managing financial matters. Mesothelioma Hub recognizes the countless hours caregivers spend in supporting and aiding cancer patients on this special day and has curated 5 tips to help celebrate and recognize caregivers today.
1) Thank a Caregiver or Caretaker
Caregiver support is often unpaid work, and whether you are a cancer patient, a loved one, or a caregiver yourself, showing your appreciation can go a long way in brightening their day. Caretakers often focus on maintenance, upkeep, and daily tasks whereas caregivers focus on providing care and support to those suffering. Help offset compassion fatigue or the burnout that often accompanies the responsibilities of caregivers and caretakers by showing your gratitude for them. We don’t have to wait until National Caregivers Day to show our appreciation for everything they do, thank them every day!
When someone receives a mesothelioma diagnosis their life changes drastically. Their caregivers become an essential part of their lives, and their largest supporters throughout their journeys. Caregivers keep everything in line for their patients during this difficult time. It’s difficult for mesothelioma patients to do everyday tasks, but there are many ways to thank your caregiver without leaving your home. Verbal affirmations or a letter thanking them are simple ways to show your gratitude and appreciation for your caregiver.
2) Make a National Caregivers Day Gift Basket
Purchasing or making a caregiver gift basket can be a great way to celebrate a caregiver. Create a personalized basket to show your appreciation. Gift baskets can be care packages for a cancer patient or caregiver. For mesothelioma patients, gift baskets make great cancer survivor gifts. These packages hold all essential and comforting items to use while going through cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy.
Items to include in a Caregiver gift basket could include:
- Blankets
- Candles
- Candy
- Socks
- Lip Balms
- Books
- Hand Written Note
- Button Up Pajamas
- Water Bottles
- Toiletries
3) Gifting a Flower Bouquet on National Caregivers Day
Something quick and easy for busy lives is surprising a caregiver with a simple flower bouquet. Flowers often bring positive emotional responses from people, essential for caregivers watching someone they love suffer from cancer. Caregivers go above and beyond to offer help and support, and a thank you flower bouquet is an excellent way to say thank you and offer emotional support for caregivers. There are many different flowers that symbolize thank-you’s such as;
Yellow Tulips: Yellow flowers spread happiness and joy. Yellow tulips are the all-time thank-you flowers, capturing cheerful thoughts and bringing forth positive emotions.
Pastel Roses: Soft shades spread love among friends and family, representing calmness and peace. Think of them as a gentle hug to your caregiver!
Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas’ stems hold up a spray of individual flowers. Gifting hydrangeas show appreciation for a caregiver’s support through their gracious acts of kindness. Succulents: For a caregiver’s busy life, succulents require minimal maintenance and provide positive emotions over a longer period of time. They are sturdy companions, such as caregivers are to their patients!
4) Reach out to Caregiver Support Groups
Consider finding support groups that your caregiver may benefit from. Many organizations provide resources or support to caregivers. Individuals who attend support groups understand what caregivers go through, offering emotional understanding that only other caregivers are capable of.
In-person or online mesothelioma caregiver support groups and resources:
- I Had Cancer
- Cancer Support Community
- Cancer Hope Network
- Inspire
- Lotsa Helping Hands
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
- The American Cancer Society
- The Family Caregiving Alliance
5) Raise Awareness on Social Media with #NationalCaregiversDay
To raise awareness about the role of caregivers and their dedication, use the #NationalCaregiversDay hashtag. Mesothelioma Hub spends the third Friday of every February celebrating all forms of caregivers, including family caregivers, professional caregivers, independent caregivers, and private caregivers. We must celebrate National Caregivers Day to show our appreciation for the innumerable hours spent taking care of those suffering. Mesothelioma Hub encourages you, to join us, in taking part in raising awareness on social media celebrating National Caregivers Day. Post your celebration photos, and tag us @MesotheliomaHub on Facebook and Linkedin, and @meso_hub on Twitter.
Supporting a Caregiver Close to You
Living with cancer is no easy task and caring for those with cancer add another element to the equation. Hours of intense treatment, recovery, and general side effects of cancer take a toll on patients and those close to them. Managing day-to-day tasks are done differently when factoring in doctor appointments, treatments, and recovery time. We go through life surrounded by caregivers who support the chronically ill, disabled, and aged. While caregivers provide a crucial role to mesothelioma patients, hours of free labor each day can significantly impact their mental health. If you are a caregiver looking for more support when it comes to caring for someone with mesothelioma, we can help.