This Labor Day let’s remember a quiet group of hard workers, although mostly unpaid, who are extremely valuable to families everywhere. Caregivers save the day for those who are sick, injured or unable to take care of themselves.

Caregivers are often family members who dedicate days, months or even years in this critical role.  There any caregivers all over the United States.

According to a study by the AARP and The National Alliance for Caregiving there are 63 million Americans providing care to others. One in every four adults is a caregiver.

Think about what you had for breakfast today, and the process you did to get it. It may not sound like a big deal.  But for someone who has lost mobility getting breakfast suddenly becomes a major task. Taking out the trash or going shopping might become a scary prospect because of fear of falling. That is where a caregiver makes a big difference helping out in what may seem like little ways, but are huge to the person in need.

Caregivers help complete daily tasks for others and that gives peace of mind for everyone in the family too. Safety and restoring confidence is a big part of the caregiver’s mission.

Caregivers are many times the first to respond to medical issues facing a family member, even solving them or leading the way to help. When it comes to getting or taking medications, caregivers frequently are the ones making it all happen.

But beyond the physical help, caregivers are the listeners that people need when they are facing a life struggle. When someone is not feeling well they need someone to talk to more than ever.

Caregivers though need support too because it can become a strain on them to help others especially over time. It’s a lot of pressure for caregivers as someone is depending on them on a daily basis. As the AARP study revealed “One in five caregivers report poor health.” Yet caregivers feel like they have put aside their own health to help someone else.  They suffer silently. There needs to be some care for the caregiver too.

The National Alliance for Caregiving offers support and builds a sense of community. Strength in numbers. A united group of caregivers can help raise awareness of the critical role they play in health care and even advocate for legislation. 

Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for example, would impact caregivers and families. Bread for the World is asking Congress to  delay implementing the new cost-share requirements for SNAP because it could harm the ability of states to provide SNAP benefits to many people in need.

If you are a caregiver for a senior who has lost mobility you want to have a good, nutritious meal plan for health and convenience. That is not always easy to set up in the home. There are organizations like Meals on Wheels that help caregivers by providing food at home. Meals on Wheels delivers multiple prepared meals at once which caregivers can serve to a family member who needs assistance.

Some nursing homes and other organizations like Visiting Angels can help providing assistance at home, taking some pressure off of caregivers. Caregiving does not get easier over time and outside assistance is a good option to have.

Labor Day is certainly a great opportunity to bring some attention to caregivers in every family. They work hard often very quietly and behind the scenes. We should recognize their valuable contribution.

Caregivers silently hold things together throughout America. We can all appreciate and thank caregivers.

William Lambers is the author of “The Road to Peace” and partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book “Ending World Hunger.”