Community News

Recognizing Caregivers in the PD Community

National Family Caregivers Month

- Nov 05 2008

Each year, the United States acknowledges November as National Family Caregivers Month.  During this month, PDF would like to recognize the caregivers and family members of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).  We celebrate their strength and courage and recommit ourselves to addressing the needs of caregivers and their loved ones. 

Caregivers to people with Parkinson's often have their own unique concerns and needs. Caregiving can include a range of activities such as assisting a person with PD with managing their medications and accompanying that person to physician appointments to helping with personal care tasks such as bathing and dressing - among many others. 

A 'care partnership' can be challenging, but also rewarding, for both caregivers and people with Parkinson's. Are you a caregiver or family member to a person with Parkinson’s? Are you a person with PD concerned about the impact of your PD upon your family members?

The following resources from PDF may help:

• Visit Caregiving and Family Support - a section of our website dedicated to caregivers, family members and care partnerships.
• Read our fact sheet, The PD Partnership: Tips for People with PD and Their Care Partners, written by Rhona Johnson, caregiver to her husband with Parkinson's disease.
• Call us at (800) 457-6676 or Ask the Expert your question about PD by using our online service.
• Not finding what you need? Click here to comment and tell us what you’d like to see in order to support your life as a caregiver or as a person with Parkinson's within a care partnership.
• Scroll below to read President Bush’s Proclamation about National Family Caregivers Month 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

During National Family Caregivers Month we recognize and celebrate the many individuals throughout our country who work each day to ensure a better quality of life for their family members. Through their selfless action, these caregivers provide their loved ones support and comfort as they age, combat illness, or suffer from disability.

Our Nation is compassionate, and we believe in the sanctity of life at all stages. Through tireless efforts and inspiring deeds, many Americans care for loved ones in need. By acting as in-home care providers, people across our Nation are helping to ensure that their family members are provided with love, comfort, and security. My Administration has worked to offer caregivers support and training. In 2006, I signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006, which established a program to help family caregivers get access to affordable and high-quality respite care. In addition, the National Family Caregiver Support Program encourages cooperation among government agencies and other organizations that support and work with family caregivers.

National Family Caregivers Month is an opportunity to recognize those who serve a cause greater than self and contribute to the well-being of their loved ones. Family caregivers are soldiers in America's armies of compassion and set an inspiring example for their fellow citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to honor the selfless service of caregivers who support their loved ones in need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Source Date: Nov 05 2008