"There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver." - Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

November is National Family Caregivers Month and we are here to celebrate and support family caregivers. Caregiving has many faces. It can be a teenage or adult child caring for the parent, a partner or spouse caring for their loved one, a grandparent caring for a grandchild, and so on.  Each situation is different, bringing its own unique challenges. 

For the last 28 years, U.S. presidents have given this special designation to the month of November, honoring more than 50 million caregivers across our country who support aging parents, spouses who are sick, and other older adults and disabled loved ones who live at home.

Also known as informal caregivers, these everyday heroes provide billions of dollars' worth of unpaid care, which has reduced the demands on the nation's healthcare system while helping to provide a better quality of life for those family members in their care.

At the Camarillo Health Care District, family caregivers are supported in many ways in our Caregiver Center, from class offerings like Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Dealing with Dementia to a virtual Caregiver Support Group and Care Consultations that help caregivers navigate their new world.

The Caregiver Center is a sanctuary for compassionate support and assistance. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one living with a chronic illness or significant change in health status, and we understand that it can be overwhelming. 

The Caregiver Center is intentionally designed to: 

• Help caregivers understand that they ARE a caregiver;
• Provide a calm and compassionate environment designed for respect and dignified learning;
• Support the emotional, physical, mental and financial needs of family caregivers.

The Caregiver Center offers high-quality education, skills training, programs and resources to help caregivers be the best they can be, while also taking care of themselves.

Many family members and friends serve as caregivers without realizing it. Such "family" caregivers serve as the backbone of America's long-term care system, and it often comes at great physical, emotional, and financial cost to the caregiver. Statistics show that giving care for a period of months or years can result in the caregiver having increased emotional stress, depression and health issues. 

The center is friendly, professional and intentionally designed to provide practical, compassionate and reality-based support for caregivers, with a variety of services available either at the center, in your own home, or over the phone. Many services are provided at no charge. The center can also assist with Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Services.

On Oct. 23, the District's Board of Directors recognized National Family Caregivers Month with a special resolution, sharing praise and support for family caregivers, while honoring the significant contributions and sacrifices they make. "Camarillo Health Care District ... stands in unity with family caregivers in celebration of National Caregivers Month, and is proud to offer a broad array of services through the award-winning Caregiver Center," the resolution states. The District's Caregiver Center is a federally designated family caregiver resource center that received the nation's top award in caregiving in 2017 from the Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving.

Attend our Family Caregiver Symposium on Dec. 16

This year, the District is planning its first Family Caregiver Symposium, called "The Power of Care." Family caregivers are invited to attend our from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Ventura County Office of Education, 5100 Adolfo Road, in Camarillo. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and we will start with a complimentary catered breakfast, followed by a program designed to uplift and empower those who give so much:

Keynote Address: Compassion Fatigue, Post-Traumatic Caregiving and Ambiguous Loss

Caregiver Panel and Q&A: Personal journeys and lessons learned 

Finding Humor in the Everyday: Laughter as Medicine

Experiential Opportunities: Virtual Reality Meditation & Caregiver Skills Lab

Resources to Answer: "Now What?"

Reserve your seat by calling 805-388-1952.