Adult Family Care Nurse Clare Maggio (left) and Social Worker Nathaniel Meyer provide support and training during a monthly home visit with an AFC caregiver.

November is National Family Caregiver Appreciation Month, a time for recognizing and honoring the vital work of family caregivers.

Roughly one in seven American adults are caregivers. A 2018 Pew Research study found that on average they dedicate about 80 minutes per day helping friends or loved ones receive the care they need. That same study found that roughly half of caregivers described the experience as very meaningful, with roughly a third saying they’re extremely happy.

However, a significant percentage of caregivers also reported feeling tired or stressed – so this is probably a good time to highlight some of the ways Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) provides support for family caregivers.

Information and Guidance Family Caregiver Support is a free program that provides short-term consultation with a social worker to identify resources and develop a caregiving plan.

Compensation and Training Adult Family Care (AFC) provides compensation and ongoing support for caregivers living with adults who cannot live alone due to a medical diagnosis.

Another option is Take Charge. Available through Home Care, Take Charge provides a limited budget to pay friend or family caregivers that assist with personal care and household tasks.

Assistance connecting with resources: Options Counseling provides one-on-one consultation that provides information and resources.

Habilitation Therapy Available through Home Care, this program provides a one-on-one coach who meets with families to provide education and tools to help with challenges of memory loss.

Home Care Support our Home Care program can provide assistance that makes life easier for caregivers, such as transportation, Adult Day Health, laundry, personal emergency response system, meals, and grocery shopping.

These are just a few of the programs SCES provides that regularly support caregivers. Contact our Aging Information Center to learn more about resources in our community.

Thank you again family caregivers, for the vital work you do in our community. We recognize and appreciate your contributions throughout the entire year.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is a non-profit agency that supports the independence and well-being of older adults in Somerville and Cambridge. For free advice and guidance on questions of aging, caregiving or disability, contact our Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601, email info@eldercare.org, or visit our website eldercare.org.