Retirement News, Healthy Living, Retirement Planning

National Family Caregivers Month: Giving Back to Those Who Give of Themselves

Caregivers are often a forgotten part of our essential workers team. They don’t have the public-facing role of doctors, nurses or EMTs. They work privately, behind closed doors, managing the well-being of others. But to those they serve, caregivers are vital. According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control, almost 33% of people older than 45 anticipate providing extra assistance to someone they know.

We’ve faced the most tumultuous year our nation has seen in generations. Now more than ever, it's especially important to make sure our caregivers feel appreciated. November is National Family Caregivers Month — the perfect time to recognize the contributions made by these vital companions.

What makes them so essential?

Most caregivers are unpaid. They give their time, doing an emotionally and often physically demanding job for the most vulnerable people — friends or family members with limited mobility, chronic illness or other ailments that prevent them from caring for themselves.

Most commonly, caregivers assist with activities of daily living, such as cooking, managing medications, coordinating healthcare appointments and aiding with personal care routines. Often, a caregiver will also lend a hand with financial matters, including paying bills and reconciling statements. Caregivers selflessly give — and not because they’re first responders, but because they’re often the only responders.

Making caregivers feel appreciated

Small tokens of gratitude can go a long way. Try these ideas to show your caregiver you appreciate their efforts:

• Make a donation in their name. It’s especially impactful if it’s a cause important to them.
• Do something for their family. Send a card for their children’s birthday, prepare a home-cooked meal to go or acknowledge milestones such as a graduation.
• Advocate for them. If they work for a service, give their employer positive feedback.
• Value their downtime. Gift them with movie passes or a Netflix subscription.  
• Learn about them. Are they away from home? Do they speak another native language? If so, learn a few words, or order in a few specialties from their hometown.
• Make their wellness a priority. Keep healthy snacks and water available. Make sure that your front walk is clear. Remove sources of allergens around your home.

Why is this important to us?

At Reverse Mortgage Funding (RMF), our lifeblood is in our personalized service. We recognize that everyone’s needs are different, and we make it our mission to ensure that people can maximize the equity they’ve built into their homes to live a more fulfilling retirement.

There’s an old financial adage that says your home is the biggest investment that you’ll ever make. While that’s true for the vast majority, the most important investment that any of us can make is in our human investment. If you’re a homeowner age 62 or older, RMF will work with you and get to know your personal needs, before deciding if a reverse mortgage loan is the right tool for you. To learn more, call RMF today at (888) 277-1567 and schedule a convenient, in-person appointment with a loan specialist in your area.

This content is sponsored by RMF, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders. We are dedicated to helping older Americans retire more freely, in the comfort of their own homes. As a result of our commitment to providing an extraordinary and positive customer experience, we have earned a 98% customer satisfaction rating; a 4.6-star / Excellent score on Trustpilot; 4.8 out of 5 stars on LendingTree; and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Call 888-277-1567 to speak with a licensed reverse mortgage specialist to learn about our retirement financing products and solutions.

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