As part of a national effort to raise awareness about the critical role family caregivers play in providing a broad range of assistance for older adults, service members, veterans, people with disabilities and those with serious or chronic health conditions, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed November as Family Caregivers Month in Michigan in a press release on Thursday.

“We are recognizing the commitment of the nearly 1.7 million family caregivers in our state who step up and step in every day to ensure their loved ones can live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible regardless of age or disability,” Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) director, said in the release. “We are committed to supporting these caregivers not only this month, but every month.”

As part of an effort to support the state’s caregivers, the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan recently launched Mi Caregiver Connection, an online caregiver resource center, according to the release. The resource links caregivers with local level services and support. Michigan’s area agencies on aging serve as the planning and service area for Michigan’s State Unit on Aging within MDHHS.

The release cites the Caregiver Action Network which reports that more than half of those providing care in the United States do not recognize themselves as caregivers. Caregiving can include day-to-day support as well as periodic tasks such as attending doctor’s appointments, maintaining and assisting with medications, and helping to manage finances.

“There are millions of caregivers striving every day to help their loved ones who are in need of ongoing, daily personal care assistance,” Bob Schleuter, Commission on Services to the Aging chairperson, said in the release. “Family Caregiver Month helps to acknowledge the demands and stress, but also the rewards of taking care of a family member or friend every day. It is important that more people understand just what it takes to make sure that all of our loved ones receive the best personal care possible.”

For more information on supporting caregivers, visit https://4ami.org/mi-caregiver-connection.