The Last Word...

Announcement

January is the time for New Year resolutions. Most often we resolve to lose 5 pounds, eat healthy, exercise or watch our budget. This year I suggest a new goal.

For those of you who belong to AARP, you received a newsletter telling all of us that November was NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH. I really intended to write this column a bit earlier to coincide with the event but with all the space taken over for ESU events this is the first month I could spare a space for my thoughts.

In Washington, we have 828 thousand family caregivers. To put this huge effort into perspective, these family caregivers provide 771 million hours of unpaid care or value equated at about $10.7 BILLION annually.

Both state and federal agencies offer information of which you should be aware if you are a caregiver. But by far, the most help available comes from friends... LIKE US. In even our small ESU organization we have members who need help with mobility on a temporary or more permanent basis. We send cards, make calls and visits to those pretty regularly. But I suggest that you include the caregiver in your thoughts. Some relief either with help in shopping, giving a day off to rest, making a meal, or driving to an appointment would be very welcome by any caregiver. It's a BIG job! ~Pat Wilson

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