National Caregivers Day 2023

Written by Musqan Butt

Graphics Saimah Kermali

On the third Friday of February every year, we celebrate Caregivers Day. This day recognizes and honours those who support and care for those in need of personal care, including tending to their mental and physical needs.

There are many different types of caregivers who may go beyond those involved in the health sector. These include family caregivers, professional caregivers, independent caregivers, and informal caregivers. Caregivers provide help and support to the people they are caring for from their medical needs to their personal needs like bathing, feeding and dressing. Often times caregiving is a full-time job but despite this, caregivers are largely either under-appreciated, underpaid or not paid at all. For this reason, it is important to celebrate caregivers, appreciate and thank them for their work.

The first Caregivers day was celebrated on the third Friday of February in 2016. The Provider’s Association for Home and Health Hospice Agencies (PAHHHA) selected the day in 2015. They created this special day to acknowledge and appreciate Caregivers all over the world.

At Suruvi-Care for Caregivers, we believe that the kindness and patience of caregivers are worth celebrating all year round, but their role is especially highlighted today, the National Caregivers Day 2023.

How to Celebrate National Caregivers Day

There are so many ways to celebrate Caregivers Day. To appreciate and thank caregivers for their work you might consider gifting a caregiver you know. For example, you might consider writing an encouraging card telling them that you recognize and appreciate the hard work they do for others. Small tokens of appreciation go a long way in encouraging and motivating caregivers for the work they do.

In addition to physical gifts, you can give a caregiver the gift of your time by doing something meaningful for them. You can offer to relieve them of some of their daily chores like cooking up a healthy meal for them, scheduling appointments for their care recipients, and taking care of their care recipients so that the caregiver can get some time to rest, among others. Every little way you can help care for a caregiver counts!

Most caregivers admit to being too preoccupied with the people they care for such that they don’t have time or the resources to care for themselves. You might also consider celebrating and supporting a caregiver receive the much needed professional support by participating in the ‘Suruvi Adopt a Caregiver’ campaign undertaken by Suruvi-Care for Caregivers which can be accessed from https://suruvi.co.ke/adopt-a-caregiver/. This initiative allows you to make a donation which goes to supporting caregivers through therapy and educational programs. In these support programs caregivers are equipped with skills to take care of their mental, emotional and physical well-being. In addition, this campaign allows caregivers to reach out and connect with other caregivers who are experiencing or have experienced similar situations. This in turn helps them be better caregivers and handle their daily duties and responsibilities more effectively.

At Suruvi-Care for Caregivers, we firmly believe that the hard work and effort of Caregivers is something that should be recognized and appreciated all year round and not only on National Caregivers Day. However, on this special day try to let us appreciate the significance of caregivers by being there for them and supporting them in any way possible. And if you are a caregiver yourself, remember to take the time to care for yourself and know that your hard work is recognized,

Happy Caregivers day!


 

One comment on “National Caregivers Day 2023

  1. Judz says:

    Good read ?

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