Caregiving

October is the official start of flu season, and the time when many people consider getting a flu shot. In addition to protecting you from the flu, the shot may also help protect your brain.

RALEIGH – Newly published figures from the AARP Public Policy Institute finds that at the end of October, less than 44 percent of nursing home residents in North Carolina were up to date on their vaccinations and confirmed COVID-19 cases were on the rise. When it comes to nursing home staff, 46 percent were vaccinated and boosted, but only 19 percent are currently up to date.

RALEIGH -- Joining Our Voices: Envisioning the Future of Serious Illness Care is a weeklong free virtual symposium that brings together policy professionals, advocates, and peers in conversation to share experiences, innovations, and opportunities for the future of North Carolina’s serious illness care.

November is National Family Caregivers Month and AARPNY reached out to New York Legislators so they can share their experiences on being a family caregiver. 75% of New York’s unpaid family caregivers are feeling stressed by having to balance their job and family.

A proposal from Gov. Tony Evers (D) would create a $500 annual tax credit for Wisconsinites who provide unpaid care to an adult family member.

Caregiving can be challenging on the best of days. Add in the stress of COVID, work, other relationships, the holidays, or any number of issues and it’s easy to get burned out. Finding the right balance is important.

In March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us were called into one of the most important and under-recognized roles someone can be: a family caregiver. Thirty months later, we at AARP bring recognition to this role in honor of National Family Caregiver Month and bring to light the importance of these selfless people. The term "family caregiver" refers to the millions of Americans who help their parents, spouses, and other loved ones remain at home. They provide emotional, physical, financial, and companionship to those they care for daily.

AARP Oregon is focused on providing family caregivers the support they need, including sharing information on state-specific resources, providers and support organizations, as well as caregiving guides in multiple languages.

Being a caregiver for a loved one can be rewarding but also challenging.

Lehigh County became the state’s fifth county to join the Hidden Heroes network for military caregivers. The network already includes Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.