Labor Day: For those who work year round
This past Monday, September 1st, the United States and Canada observed Labor Day, the federal holiday created in 1894 to pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of the men and women for their efforts in building a strong and prosperous nation! Parades, backyard bar-be-ques, festivals and an end of summer activities were part of the celebration, and for many, a day off from laboring was welcomed!
However, taking off on Monday was not possible for millions of Americans, such as our first responders, armed forces, healthcare professionals, clergy, pilots and travel personnel, media professionals, and essential workers in retail and customer service. But there is another group of hard working and dedicated men and women who do not leave the house and whose unpaid work often goes unnoticed. This valuable work force are the families and friends supporting someone living with dementia in the home. This includes over 80% of people living with memory loss in the US.
The sacrifices so many of these family members and friends make have an impact on the strength and prosperity of our great country, as 45% of these family members still have outside jobs, 33% neglect their own personal care and well-being, and 80% pay out of pocket for many of the expenses associated with the support. These dedicated family members and friends are the backbone to our long-term healthcare system.
So here is a toast, for all the people who never take a day off and to the family members and friends who are making a difference in the life of someone living with dementia every single day of the year!
For more information on our Memory Ministry, Memory Café or Family and Friends Workshops please contact Vicky Pitner, Memory Ministry Coordinator at vpitner@firstumc.org.