Business View - November 2015 17
I know that unexpected kindness can go a long way
for a caregiver,” says AARP Family and Caregiving
Expert Amy Goyer, author of the new book Juggling
Life, Work, and Caregiving. “If you are not one of
the 40 million caregivers in the U.S. now, you either
have been a caregiver or will be one in the future.”
One in every six adults is a family caregiver and
surprisingly, 1 in 4 family caregivers is a Millennial
(between the ages of 18 and 34). Their family care-
giving stories are often filled with love and sacrifice,
but may also include financial and emotional stress.
Through “Random Acts of Kindness for Caregiv-
ers,” AARP is hoping to give family caregivers a little
extra support, joy and relief.
“Random Acts of Kindness” can encourage over-
whelmed caregivers, free them up to have more
time with other loved ones they care for, or even
give them personal time to relax and rejuvenate.
Here are a few ideas:
• Wash a car
• Pick up the dry cleaning
• Water the flowers
• Send an encouraging card in the mail
• Do an item on a to-do list
• Take them dinner
• Take their kids to soccer practice
• Bring over a movie
• Just say “thank you!”
Those sharing acts of kindness are encouraged to
submit stories and a photo of their random acts to
the contest website found atwww.aarp.org/care-
giverkindness. In March 2016, AARP will select 12
winners who have made a meaningful difference
in the lives of family caregivers. The winners will
share a $10,000 prize.
