November Healthcare Observances: Long-Term Care Awareness Month and American Diabetes Month
This November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and National Family Caregiver Month. However, these aren't the only critical healthcare observances.
This article discusses several healthcare awareness months recognized each November. We'll cover what makes each observance critical to learn about and explore ways you can show your support.
It's also important to mention that many of these observances are closely tied to a need for long-term care. Millions of older adults need long-term care each year, and with so many options, it can be difficult to find the best care provider for your or your loved one's needs.
That's where LTC News's Care Directory can help. Our care search tool offers tens of thousands of listings nationwide. It includes all types of care so you can pick the best one for your or your loved one's situation.
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Long-Term Care Awareness Month
Long-Term Care Awareness Month was created in 2001 by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) with three goals in mind:
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To increase awareness about long-term care costs, how to afford it, and how to plan for it.
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To increase the visibility of caregiving and long-term care resources.
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To honor caregivers and healthcare workers for their dedication to serving those with long-term care needs.
Long-term care can happen to anyone; however, the risk of needing care increases as we age. The most common reasons older adults may need long-term care include illnesses, injuries, or simply the impacts of aging.
Needing long-term care can look different for everyone, but it involves a need for stand-by or hands-on assistance with two or more activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, or toileting. Someone can also need long-term care if they need supervision due to cognitive decline, usually caused by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These care needs are expected to last 90 days or more.
It’s important to be aware of long-term care and how you may need help as you age. Long-term care can get expensive, especially for those who need care around the clock or ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future.
LTC News’s Cost of Care Calculator can help you estimate the current cost of long-term care in your area and the expected cost years down the line.
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While we’re on the topic of cost, one of the best avenues to cover long-term care costs is Long-Term Care Insurance. LTC Insurance is a safe investment in your future that can protect you from losing everything trying to cover care costs. You can work with a Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to get a policy personalized to your needs.
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American Diabetes Month
Diabetes is a widespread problem in the United States, affecting over 38.4 million Americans (or 11.6% of the population) as of 2021. However, an even more significant number, 38% of Americans, have prediabetes. Many of these individuals are unaware of their looming health concerns.
American Diabetes Month aims to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and management in hopes of lowering cases of diabetes nationwide, as well as helping those living with diabetes from developing life-threatening health conditions.
Diabetes is a significant reason people require long-term care services. While diabetes itself may not be the sole reason for long-term care, it is often a contributing factor, especially when combined with other health conditions.
Diabetes puts individuals at a higher risk of many health conditions, including but not limited to:
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Vision damage or problems.
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Kidney damage or kidney disease.
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Nerve damage.
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Heart problems, including heart disease.
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Various types of cancer.
However, diabetes is not a hopeless diagnosis; many people can live well with the right amount of lifestyle changes and medication. Intervening with lifestyle changes during the early stages, like prediabetes, can even prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
Common lifestyle changes that can impact diabetes development and management include:
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Eating a healthier, more balanced diet.
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Exercising regularly.
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Maintaining a healthy weight.
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Proper medication management.
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Taking care of your mental health.
American Diabetes Month, created by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), is celebrated each November. You can show your support for American Diabetes Month in a number of ways, including donating to the ADA, sharing your story online, listening to others’ stories, or participating in a diabetes awareness event near you.
National Family Caregiver Month
National Family Caregivers Month is another healthcare observance celebrated in the month of November. Over 53 million Americans provide unpaid care to a loved one each year. These individuals give up their free time to help their loved ones live despite often working full-time jobs.
These sacrifices are worth recognizing and celebrating. National Family Caregiver Month started in 1997 and has evolved and grown each year of its celebration. The theme for 2024 is "I care."
This November, you can show support by sharing your story, listening to others' stories, donating to a local caregiving cause, or helping a friend or family member with their caregiving duties.
The last one is especially important. Taking on temporary caregiving duties can provide respite care and give caregivers a chance to recover from caregiver burnout and properly rest. This can have a profound positive impact on the caregiver and the quality of care they provide to their loved one.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Despite the progress made in reducing smoking and cigarette use throughout the last few decades, lung cancer is still the most common cause of cancer death in the United States. The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) estimates in 2024, 234,580 will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and 125,070 people will die of lung cancer.
Individuals with a family history of lung cancer or those exposed to smoke, radiation, asbestos, or heavy metals have a greater chance of developing lung cancer. However, 80% to 90% of lung cancer cases are caused directly by smoking cigarettes.
This November, it's critical to spread a message about lung cancer and encourage smokers in your life to stop smoking. It's equally critical to raise awareness about CT scans and regular doctor's visits, which can help detect lung cancer early and improve life expectancy for those diagnosed.
Other November Healthcare Campaigns
There are a few other observances that are equally important this November; these include:
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International Stress Awareness Day (November 1st). – Stress is a constant and seemingly unavoidable part of living in the modern age. However, it's both possible and important to find ways to reduce and manage stress in our lives, leading to better overall health.
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National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. – Celebrated in both June and November, National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month is an important observance for raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects millions of people each year.
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National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM). – Epilepsy is a chronic brain condition that causes seizures; it affects 3.4 million Americans. The goal of NEAM is to raise awareness, spread education, and reduce stigmas around epilepsy.
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Home Care and Hospice Month. – This observance celebrates the dedication of professional caregivers and commemorates their contributions to American healthcare.
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Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. – Pancreatic cancer is an elusive and dangerous type of cancer. This observance aims to spread awareness about the symptoms and encourages individuals to advocate for themselves if they think they might have the condition.
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U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (November 18th—24th). – Antibiotics are a miracle medicine and effective against many diseases. However, improper or overuse of antibiotics can put us at risk of creating antibiotic-resistant diseases. This campaign aims to spread awareness of the importance of proper antibiotic use.
Supporting Those You Love This November
November is a month for learning about and supporting those living with chronic conditions. One of the best things we can do for ourselves and our loved ones is advocate for and set an example of going to a doctor regularly and staying aware of our lifestyle choices. Simple changes like keeping up with your health and being aware of your body can help you catch chronic conditions early or even prevent or delay their onset.
Other essential ways to support a healthcare campaign this November are to get educated about conditions like lung cancer and diabetes and spread awareness. There are many ways to do this, including joining a local event or using social media to share your story and listen to others. You can also show your appreciation for the caregivers in your life by offering to help with caregiving duties temporarily.
LTC News offers a plethora of resources to help you learn more about long-term care, caregiving, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Here are a few resources related to November’s healthcare observances:
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How to Care for a Loved One With Diabetes – Diabetes is a widespread chronic condition, but luckily, there are ways to manage it and reduce its impact on quality of life. If your loved one has been recently diagnosed with diabetes or is struggling to manage their condition, this article can offer guidance.
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How To Balance Caregiving Responsibilities and a Career – A majority of caregivers work full-time or part-time jobs in addition to their caregiving responsibilities. This can leave many caregivers feeling frustrated. However, there are a few strategies to ease the burden.
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Managing Caregiver Burnout: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions – Caregiver burnout happens when we overextend ourselves to provide care for our loved one in addition to enduring the stress and duties of normal life. This article offers tips to prevent and recover from caregiver burnout.
If you or your loved one currently need long-term care and are struggling to find it, LTC News’s Care Directory may be able to help. You can use our tool to find high-quality long-term care facilities and caregiving services near you or your loved one.