November Is National Caregiver Month
Caregivers attend a Care for Caregivers series event in Cheyenne on navigating the Veterans Affairs system in October.
November is National Family Caregiving Month, and AARP Wyoming wishes to salute the estimated 58,000 family caregivers in the state who give 54 million hours each year helping their older parents, spouses, and other loved ones live independently. These caregivers manage medications, prepare meals, help with bathing and dressing, and much more, providing $910 million in unpaid labor each year.
Caregivers in the Cowboy State
In Wyoming, AARP recently concluded its “Care for Caregivers” series in Sheridan, Newcastle, Casper, and Cheyenne. Each session covers essential topics, with local experts' presentations on legal and financial planning, safety and mobility, caregiver brain health, and veterans benefits. Respite care for loved ones is offered on-site, and local businesses play a crucial role in the series, sponsoring the meals and giving caregivers a break from cooking. With no RSVP required, the series is designed to be as accessible as possible, recognizing the unpredictable demands caregivers face. This open-door approach has led to high interest, with more than 60 of the 70 attendees this year attending multiple sessions, often staying afterward to connect with each other.
The series was started in Sheridan, and its popularity led to its expansion into three other communities. The series was so successful, Stella Montano, AARP Wyoming Volunteer State President, who co-founded and pioneered the series in Sheridan, recently presented to AARP National in Washington, D.C., sharing insights on how the program could serve as a national model for other states. The Wyoming VA has also taken note - recording sessions for statewide online access. In 2025, AARP Wyoming will offer the series via Zoom statewide. Those interested are encouraged to keep an eye on aarp.org/wyevents
If you are a caregiver, visit https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/ to check out AARP’s free caregiver resource center. This is available to all, and you don’t have to be over age 50 or an AARP member to take advantage of this resource. A Wyoming-specific caregiver resource guide is available there.
The I Am A Caregiver Movement
AARP’s I Am A Caregiver movement seeks to empower family caregivers and the older parents, spouses, and other loved ones they care for. Our movement recognizes that caring for a loved one is often physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming for family caregivers. Family caregivers have often been invisible to lawmakers, but that changed during the 2024 election when both Presidential candidates [and political parties] vowed to prioritize support for this powerful constituency. AARP will harness this movement to demand action by the new Congress, administration, and state elected officials to get family caregivers the support they need.
Family caregivers spend over $7,200 a year out of their own pockets on care-related costs. Most are also juggling full- or part-time jobs. Too many (42% overall and 50% for women) have had to quit their jobs or reduce hours at work due to their caregiving responsibilities.
Raise your hand and join the movement at aarp.org/iamacaregiver. AARP needs your help. Join the movement to show lawmakers that family caregivers are a powerful constituency who need support now.
