Family caregivers selflessly care for older adults and adults with disabilities by providing physical and emotional support, as well as financial and medical assistance. This year’s theme for National Family Caregivers Month is "Caregiving Around the Clock."
- Family caregiving spans across all generations and includes parents, adult children, siblings, partners, spouses, friends, and neighbors who provide care for a loved one.
- Caregivers manage a wide range of responsibilities including helping with household tasks, assisting with personal care, helping with legal and financial matters, assisting with medical and nursing tasks often with little to no training, and more.
- An estimated 53 million adults in the United States have provided care to a loved one within the past 12 months.
- In Virginia, one in five is a family caregiver.
- In Fairfax County, 59% of older residents provides unpaid care at home for a chronically ill, disabled, or aging loved one.
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services honors family caregivers for their dedication, commitment, and compassionate care to their loved ones. Our Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, specializing in caring for older adults and adults with disabilities, provides caregivers with evidence-based programs, educational webinars, and workshops, as well as resources and services focused on caregivers’ needs.
In honor of family caregivers, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services recognizes their critical role as care partners. The department renews its commitment to providing useful services for caregivers during a time of life that can be complicated and stressful, but very fulfilling. Learn more in this Golden Gazette 
This year’s conference keynote speaker is Gary Chapman, PhD, author of "Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Languages and the Alzheimer’s Journey."
The Caregiving Journey: A Panel Conversation with Family Caregivers