Caregiving can look like everyday life -- helping prepare meals, sorting medications, providing transportation, coordinating medical appointments, taking on finances or providing regular check-ins. Many people do these things for someone they care about without thinking of themselves as caregivers. But if you are doing any one of these, YOU ARE a caregiver.

November is celebrated as National Family Caregivers Month. It's at this time we raise even more awareness because caregivers need support. We want you to know that you're not alone. Information and resources are available for family caregivers. This includes training, counseling, support groups, short-term breaks called respite and help finding local services.

You don't have to figure out family caregiving responsibilities on your own. Call Camarillo Health Care District at 805-388-1952 to arrange for a care consultation. Speak with our social services coordinator and get connected to community resources. She can talk to you about respite grants, home modification grants, public benefits, in-home care services, adult day centers, legal and financial services, senior nutrition programs and more.

Join the District's Caregiver Support Group, virtually or in person. The virtual group meets the second and fourth Fridays of the month, 1-2:30 p.m., and in person the first Monday of every month 1-2:30 p.m. We also offer Dementia Live, a high-impact dementia simulation experience that takes you into life with dementia, resulting in deeper understanding of what's it's like to live with cognitive impairment and sensory changes. It's scheduled 1 and 2 p.m. p.m. Nov. 12 and 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 18.

Visit our award-winning Family Caregiver Center. Browse the shelves of our resource library, enjoy a cup of coffee and relax in a serene environment. Try our virtual reality-based Mindfulness & Meditation class 9:30 a.m. Nov. 4 or 10 a.m. Dec. 21. Set up an appointment with a nutrition counselor or apply for home-delivered meals if your loved one is homebound.

Consider our Adult Day Center for the social needs of your loved one and your own respite (run those errands, listen to a podcast or take a nap!). Our center offers a person-centered focus in a home-like setting with activities designed for socialization, mental and physical enrichment, recreation for all abilities and, most of all, fun. Nutritious and well-balanced meals, snacks and beverages are provided throughout the day. Trained and caring staff provide a wide range of planned activities for many interests and ability levels.

Arrange for transportation through our CARE-A-VAN Transportation Service to take a loved one to a non-emergency medical appointment. Attend our CARE Connect Wellness Event, a one-stop shop for family caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia-related disease. It will be held between 10 a.m. and noon Oct. 29 on our campus, 3639 Las Posas Road in Camarillo.

Camarillo Health Care District is here for family caregivers and their loved ones. Call us at 805-388-1952 or visit our website for more information or a virtual tour of our Adult Day Center.