National Family Caregivers Month, observed every November, is designed to draw attention to the challenges facing family caregivers, to advocate for strong public policy to address family caregiving issues, and to raise awareness about community programs that support family caregivers. It is a time to thank, support, educate, and celebrate more than 50 million family caregivers across the country.

The theme for National Family Caregivers Month is "BELIEVE in yourself … PROTECT your health … REACH OUT for help."

This November, special emphasis is placed on the need for all of us to help family caregivers pay attention to their own well-being so they can have a satisfying life and provide the best possible care for their loved ones.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the National Family Caregivers Support Program, the first piece of federal legislation to create a nationwide program to assist family caregivers. Under the auspices of the Administration on Aging, the program has helped more than a million family caregivers.

Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month by helping family caregivers reach out for assistance, and being there to provide it when asked. Caregivers give a lot of themselves to meet the needs of another. It may be possible to ease the stress of caregiving by participating in some services that are available in the local community.

The Johnson County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) receives Older Americans Act funding to provide support services for caregivers. The following services are available to residents of Johnson County who are caregivers for adults 60 and older:

• Caregiver information
  
• In-home assessment, care plan development, and skills training
  
• Caregiver counseling

For information on the Family Caregiver Support Initiative of the AAA, call an aging information specialist at 913-715-8861. The AAA Web site also has information about these services; visit http://hsa.jocogov.org/aging/caregiver.shtml. For more information on caregiving, see pages 30 and 31.