November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the millions of people who care for a loved one every day. At GoodLife, family caregivers are at the heart of our mission: to make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of individuals with disabilities and the caregivers who support them.

What Is National Family Caregivers Month?

Each November, the Caregiver Action Network leads National Family Caregivers Month to honor family caregivers, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and connect them with support. This year marks the observance’s 29th year, and the 2026 theme is “Care Connects Us.”

Who Are Family Caregivers?

A family caregiver is anyone who provides ongoing care for someone they love. That might be a parent supporting an adult son or daughter with an intellectual or developmental disability, a sibling, an adult child caring for an aging parent, a grandparent, a spouse, or a close friend.

Many people never think of themselves as caregivers. To them, they’re simply being a mom, a brother, or a daughter. But the work they do, from medical appointments to daily routines to lifelong advocacy, is real, and it deserves recognition.

Caregiving by the Numbers

According to Caregiving in the US 2025, a report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving:

• 63 million Americans, nearly 1 in 4 adults, provided ongoing care for a loved one in the past year.
• That’s 20 million more caregivers than in 2015.
• Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers provide 40 or more hours of care each week, the equivalent of a full-time job.
• Nearly half experienced at least one major financial impact from caregiving.
• 1 in 5 caregivers report being in fair or poor health themselves.

Caring for the Caregiver

Caregiving is an act of love, and it can also be exhausting. If you’re a family caregiver, here are a few ways to take care of yourself, too:

• Accept help when it’s offered. Keep a short list of specific tasks, like picking up groceries or covering an afternoon, so it’s easy for others to say yes.
• Take real breaks. Respite, even a few hours, helps you recharge so you can keep showing up.
• Look after your own health. Keep your own appointments and pay attention to stress and sleep.
• Plan ahead. Think about long-term goals and what support your loved one will need in the years to come.
• Connect with others. Other caregivers understand what you’re going through in a way few people can.

How GoodLife Supports Family Caregivers

Supporting caregivers is part of how we support the people we serve. A few ways GoodLife helps:

• Shared Living. In Arkansas, family members who are already providing full-time care for a loved one with I/DD can be formally recognized and compensated through GoodLife’s Shared Living program. Caregivers receive training, a dedicated Shared Living Consultant, access to our nursing and behavior specialists, and respite built into their contract. Learn more about Shared Living in Arkansas.
• Neighborhood Network and iLink Technologies. Our Neighborhood Network pairs semi-independent living with support that’s there when it’s needed. iLink’s virtual support gives residents more independence and gives parents and guardians peace of mind. Explore the Neighborhood Network.
• Day Services and Midnight Farm. Our day programs give the people we support meaningful ways to learn, create, volunteer, and connect in the community. Learn about Day Services.

Thank You, Caregivers

To every parent, sibling, spouse, adult child, and friend who shows up for someone they love: thank you. This month, and every month, we see you, and we’re grateful for you.

If you’re a family caregiver and want to explore what support could look like for your family, we’d love to talk.

Learn more about National Family Caregivers Month at caregiveraction.org.