November is dedicated to family caregivers, those individuals who provide care to a family member, often while balancing conflicts in the workplace.
A caregiver can be anyone who provides care, for example, a parent caring children under the age of 18 or a special needs child, or a family member assisting a relative with a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes caregivers find themselves sandwiched between caring for a child and taking on a more active support role with aging parents, pulling double duty.
Although caregiving duties may vary from family to family, all caregivers have one thing in common-finding support for their responsibilities is often a challenge. To help caregivers address the financial and emotional difficulties of caring for a family member, federal and state executive offices provide services for caregivers. In addition, there are national caregiver organizations who link to resources, tools, support groups and advocate for caregivers and their families.
President Clinton, in 1997, signed the first proclamation that recognized November as Family Caregivers Month. Every president since that time has signed an executive order declaring November to be National Family Caregivers Month,see the EOs in the federal register at, archive.
The states have also developed task forces to focus on the issues facing family caregivers. For a review of state policy on caregiver taskforces see, State Family Caregivers Task Forces.
In Wisconsin, Governor Ever's signed: EO #11., Relating to the Creation of a Caregivers Task force. These task force resources are located at, https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/gtfc/index.htm.
In response to the task force's recommendations, the Womens & Gender Study Consortium at UW-Madison compiled a list of resources for caregivers. See, Caregiving Task Force – Women's & Gender Studies Consortium – UW–Madison.
Additional Resources for Caregivers:
For links to state resources outside of Wisconsin, see the list from Center for Healthcare Strategies.
National Organizations
The Caregivers Action Network (CAN) theme for 2025 is Plug In to Care. CAN provides tools, resources and advocates for caregivers. Their FAQ offers answers to common questions such as what to do if you feel isolated as a caregiver or where to begin to seek help and services.
Havard Law Review provides an online book for working parents, A working parents survivors guide. You will need to subscribe to view the document.
What Can You Do to Support a Family Caregiver
From the website on the documentary, Unseen, about challenges experienced by family caregivers, is a list of resources for National Caregivers Month. They include six ways you can support a caregiver. Those are:
1. Provide respite care
2 . Check in regularly
3. Be specific with your offers
4. Help with chores
5. Keep inviting them
6. Offer encouragement
Books for Caregivers
Books on the topic available in the UW catalog are located under the subject caregiver
One book in particular in this collection was written by a former Wisconsin governor, and discusses caregiving tips as well as things he wished he had known regarding Alzheimer's disease. My two Elaine’s, You can find My Two Elaine's by Governor Shreiber in the UW catalog, at https://search.library.wisc.edu/catalog/9912352262902121.
Submitted by Jenny Zook, Reference Librarian on October 30, 2025
This article appears in the categories: Law Library
