By Kenneth Sullivan
The Caregiver Action Network, a National Family Caregivers Association program, began promoting national recognition for family caregivers in 1994. Three years later, in 1997, President Bill Clinton signed the first National Family Caregiver Month Proclamation. Since then, every president has followed annually to recognize and honor family caregivers each November (www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/family-caregivers-month.html/). Besides saluting our caregivers, National Family Caregiver Month is also a time to raise awareness around caregiving issues and work to increase support for our nation’s caregivers (www.ncoa.org/page/national-family-caregivers-month).
The Bible says, “Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers (1 Timothy 5:8, New Living Translation).” Therefore, Christianity finds it commendable for people to look after their families. That said, I pray that the Spirit of God will bless all caregivers and their services for their disabled relatives. On the other hand, taking care of a relative with a mental, developmental, physical, or degenerative disability is not an easy task. According to a website (www.eehealthorg/blog/2019/01/manage-caregiving/), family caregiving can strain a person’s physical and mental health, making it hard to manage their life. Yet, the website gives tips on how families can control the challenges of caregiving.
The American Association of Retired Persons, (AARP) has an official website where caregivers can find local and national resources for assistance (www.aarp.org/caregiving/local/info-2019/national-resources-for-caregivers.html). The AARP’s website lists many national organizations, programs, and helpline numbers for caregivers. Whether they are taking care of a relative diagnosed with cancer, Alzheimer’s and dementia, mental illness, or other disabilities, caregivers can find resources for legal and financial help, respite care, long-term care, elderly care, in-home care, and hospice and palliative care for their families. To locate these local resources within or near their zip codes, caregivers can call 2-1-1, the United Way’s service number for community and social services, or visit its website (www.211connectsalabama.org/about-us/).
The Holy Prayers website (www.holyprayers.net/prayers-for-caregivers/) includes 37 prayers and encouraging biblical scriptures for caregivers to pray for and encourage themselves. With these prayers and encouraging scriptures on the website, I pray that the Spirit of God will draw all caregivers to Jesus Christ. He can give the caregivers rest when they become weary with the heavy burdens of caring for their relatives (Matthew 11:28, New Living Translation). Just as people from a village in the gospel brought their sick family members to Jesus for healing by the touch of His hand (Luke 4:40, New Living Translation), I pray that the Spirit of God will call all family caregivers to bring their disabled relatives to Jesus for remedy.
God holds power and strength in His hands, where anyone can be made great and strong (1 Chronicles 29:12, God’s Word Translation). That said, I pray the Spirit of God will give all caregivers the capacity and energy to continue looking after their relatives—Kenneth Sullivan.