Many years ago in Europe, festivals were held before and after the harvest cycles to give thanks for a plentiful crop. This was also a time for the community to celebrate the hard work done by all. The people sacrificed their individual needs for the good of the community. These celebrations were combined into what we all know as Thanksgiving Day. It’s one day for each of us to reflect and give thanks for a plentiful “harvest”.
It is during this Thanksgiving week, that we can celebrate the hard work done by the many caregivers and the sacrifices they make for the good of their families – their “community". Caregiving can sometimes be a thankless job, one that isn’t often recognized as important and vital to sustaining a community. But it is the quintessential selfless role that many play, ensuring a plentiful harvest for years to come.
How can you support and celebrate caregivers during this Thanksgiving week? Consider the following:
- Offer to stay with their loved one for an afternoon to allow the caregiver a few hours to themselves
- Offer to cook a meal
- Run errands, i.e. post office, dry cleaners, or grocery shopping, etc.
- Hire somebody to clean their house, shovel their snow, rake their leaves or cut their grass
- Do their laundry
- Take their kids out for the day
- Sit with their loved one while they attend church
Not sure? Just ask. “What can I do for you today?”
The key is to recognize their sacrifices and hard work by celebrating and supporting what they do. They take care of those that worked hard to give us the plentiful harvest we enjoy today.
May you all have a healthy and joyous Thanksgiving Holiday. Take care and be well.
R.Thompson, MSN, RN
To find out how advocacy can help you or your loved one, please contact the advocates at Uppta at www.uppta.com
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