Labor Day or a Labor of Love
We know fall is fast approaching because another Labor Day has come and gone. Designated as a federal holiday in 1894, the first Monday of September was created to recognize the contributions and achievements of the American worker. This day pays tribute to the women and men for their efforts in building a strong and prosperous nation.
We tend to think of the workers who leave their homes and commute to factories, hospitals, offices, and other places of employment. However, 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 workforce is 15 million strong who genuinely give a labor of love, families and friends who support someone living with dementia in the home. This includes over 80% of people living with memory loss in the US.
When you look at the sacrifices these family members and friends make, they have an impact on the strength and prosperity of our great country. 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 care. These dedicated family members and friends are the backbone of our long-term healthcare system.
So let’s salute and send a special thanks to all the family members and friends who are making a difference in the life of a loved one every single day of the year. Taking off on Labor Day was really not an option for millions of Americans.
For more information on our Memory Ministry, Memory Café or Family and Friends Trainings please contact Vicky Pitner, Memory Ministry Coordinator at vpitner@firstumc.org.