November is National Family Caregiver Month, a time to recognize and honor family caregivers and an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers. Older adults may be family caregivers or have family caregivers. Advocates working with them can provide support and assistance to promote caregiver health, connect caregivers to benefits and resources, and provide the tools for them to deliver safe and effective caregiving. Many resources on the topic are available:

• NCLER Training: Grandparents and Other Non-Parent Families: Information on kinship care, including grandparents raising grandchildren, and ways to support and serve kinship families.
• NCLER Training: Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Effects of Secondary Trauma on Attorneys & Advocates: Information on vicarious and secondary trauma. Family caregivers may be grappling with secondary trauma and burnout.
• Caregiver Action Network: Family Caregiver Toolbox: Videos, resources and checklists for family caregivers.
• Diverse Elders Coalition Library: Caregivers: Collection of reports, fact sheets, and other research around caregiving issues and diverse older adults.
• The National Consumer Voice & National Center on Elder Abuse: Taking Care of You: Tips for the Family Caregiver: A tip sheet for caregiver self-care.
• WISER: Caregiving Resources: Resources for caregivers to help them plan for their future—the majority of caregivers are females providing unpaid care for family members.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Managing Someone Else’s Money: Guides and resources for individuals managing money or property for a loved one.

The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is spearheading observance efforts for this month and developed the theme of #CaregiverAnd, a theme that encourages family caregivers to celebrate passions and interests. More resources to promote this month are available through the Administration for Community Living.