November Is National Family Caregivers Month; Thank you for your service

By Laydell Wood Harper/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - November is National Caregiver Month, and at some point in your life you or someone close to you will be a Caregiver. Caregiving, doesn’t come with an announcement of its arrival, or instruction as to how you perform the task.

It somehow just happens/evolves and one day you’re a caregiver with more responsibility then you could ever imagine and very little instruction or resources. But, caregiving is a labor of love. It is hard work, it is challenging, includes making unplanned changes to your life and it is a 24/7 commitment, but it is still a labor of love.

The dictionary defines a caregiver as an unpaid or paid person who helps another individual with impairment with his or her activities of daily living. Any person with health impairment might use caregiving services to address their difficulties. It does not mention the day to day struggle to care for your love one and above all help them to keep their dignity.

Thanks to President Barak Obama, November is National Family Caregiver Awareness Month. A designation that is long overdue. More than 60 Million caregivers provide valuable strength and assistance to their family members, neighbors, or friends. And as the number of older Americans increases so will the number of caregivers.

Did you know: 90% of adults over 65 prefer to stay at home and are healthier and happier when they do, two out of every 5 adults are family caregivers, Caregiving effects the entire family; Men are now almost as likely to be caregivers as women (37% of men, 40% of women and 36% of younger adults 18 to 29), Many families make changes at home because of caregiving responsibilities especially financial changes (an average of $5500 per year).

The Southeast Michigan Coalition to Transform Advanced Illness Care SEMATAC is a faith-based initiative created at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church of Detroit to address the growing needs in the community to care for the sick and incapacitated, but also to celebrate the often forgotten caregiver. SEMATAC originated in the church because family members more and more are turning to the church for mental and spiritual healing.

They have been suddenly thrust into situations with no preparation and training for what is required of them. The patient and family more often than not feel ineffective and abandoned during their most vulnerable time and turn to Church pastors and their community leaders for consultation and support.

“Caregivers have an immeasurable impact on the lives of those they assist, their hours are long and their work is hard, comments, Dr. Charles G. Adams, Pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. “ Many put their own lives on hold to lift up someone close to them, be they a family member, caring friend or church member. They have stepped up to provide services to those individuals who otherwise would be unable to survive.”

Please join Southeast Michigan Coalition to Transform Advanced Illness Care SEMATAC as they celebrate, acknowledge and recognize ALL caregivers in every congregation, community organization and others who have accepted the challenge to be a caregiver in someone’s life on Sunday, November 15, 2015 Caregivers Recognition Sunday.

Faith-based institutions, community organizations and health-care providers have joined together to address the specific needs associated with Advanced Illness and Long-term care for those diagnosed with cancer, cardiac and kidney disease, diabetes and dementia. “ Whereas the medical community is focused on “Cure” we are focused on “Healing,” said Edith Clifton, SEMATAC member. “We maintain that healing involves the body, mind and spirit and seek to educate and engage the modalities that lead to living life in abundance regardless of the medical state.”

“I ask all denominations and congregations to set aside the third Sunday, November 15, 2015 at your church and place of worship to acknowledge caregivers, our “unsung heroes,” said Dr. Adams. “At Hartford we will call our Caregivers to the Alter for a special Alter Prayer, Present them with a Rose, and a Certificate.”

In addition to the celebration of Caregivers on National Caregivers Day Sunday November 15th, The SEMATAC committee, which includes several local churches will host a major conference to discuss these important issues and others on February 19, 2016 at Hartford Church that will include helpful information for all denominations. Please mark your calendars to attend and participate in this initiative to impact health care disparities for our communities.

For more information about Caregivers Recognition Sunday and how your church or place of worship can participate, and the “Take Care of You,” Caregivers Handout. Please visit the Hartford website at www.HMBCDetroit.org or call (313) 861-1300 ex. 433