"The Caring Today contest is a way for caregivers to get the word out about their experiences," said Strecker Richard. "We are honored to provide family caregivers a chance to be heard and to support these dedicated, under-recognized heroes. We're excited that Home Instead Senior Care is offering $16,000 worth of relief to the people who really need it."
Do You Need a Caregiving Break Today?
Caring Today Magazine and Home Instead Senior Care Launch Third Annual
Essay Contest
Contest will reward winning caregivers with $16,000 in much-needed support
FAIRFIELD, Conn., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- It's time for a break for
America's unsung heroes, the 50 million American caregivers who work
tirelessly on behalf of their loved ones, according to Caring Today
magazine, the Number One resource for family caregivers.
That's why Caring Today magazine (http://www.caringtoday.com), and Home
Instead Senior Care are today announcing the third annual Caring Today
magazine's "Give a Caregiver a Break" essay contest. Some 50 million
Americans act as family caregivers, providing non-paid assistance for a
family member or friend who needs support, guidance and/or physical help
with health and medical decisions.
A 2007 nationwide Caring Today survey found that while caregivers take
pride in their accomplishments many find the responsibility can take a
physical and financial toll, said Susan Strecker Richard, Editor-in-Chief
of Caring Today.
"The Caring Today contest is a way for caregivers to get the word out
about their experiences," said Strecker Richard. "We are honored to provide
family caregivers a chance to be heard and to support these dedicated,
under-recognized heroes. We're excited that Home Instead Senior Care is
offering $16,000 worth of relief to the people who really need it."
The contest offers family caregivers the opportunity to write about
their experiences, and winners will be awarded with much-needed help. Grand
prize for the essay contest is $5,000 worth of free care from Home Instead
Senior Care, the world's largest provider of non-medical companionship and
home care for seniors. Two first prize winners will each receive $2,500
worth of care from Home Instead Senior Care, and 12 "Extraordinary
Caregivers" will receive $500 each in service.
"Each day, our CAREGivers see the toll that caregiving takes on
families across the world," said Home Instead Senior Care Co-Founder and
CEO Paul Hogan. "We know that respite care is one of the biggest benefits
to the family caregiver, which is why we're proud to be a sponsor of this
contest that will provide needed rest and support to weary family
caregivers."
To enter the contest, family caregivers are asked to describe their
caregiving experiences, including the challenges they've faced, how they've
embraced their role as a caregiver for a senior loved one and inspired
others, and how a Home Instead CAREGiver(SM) could make a difference.
Entries, which must be 500 words or fewer, can be submitted starting May 1,
2008. Entry deadline is July 16, 2008.
Winning essays will be published in the November/December issue of
Caring Today, both online and in the magazine. Videos of the winners will
be posted on CaringToday.com.
Contest details are available on Caring Today's Facebook group page
(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22731175184&ref=ts), and on the
Caring Today website (http://caringtoday.com), and on the Home Instead
Senior Care website (http://www.homeinstead.com).
About Caring Today, LLC:
Caring Today, LLC, through its magazine and website, is the leading
provider of practical advice and resources for family caregivers. Since
2004, the Connecticut-based multiplatform media company has been delivering
expertise and support to the estimated 50 million American family
caregivers through http://www.caringtoday.com and Caring Today, its bimonthly
magazine with a national circulation of 750,000. Staffed by experienced
caregivers familiar with the caregiver's life and the stress it can bring,
Caring Today understands the importance of both self-care and outside
support. For more information, please visit, http://www.caringtoday.com.
About Home Instead Senior Care
Home Instead Senior Care is the world's largest provider of
comprehensive companionship and home care services for seniors. These
services are provided through a network of franchise offices located
throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Portugal, Australia, Ireland,
New Zealand, Taiwan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany.
The company's services are designed for practically any living arrangement
where an older adult simply needs human interaction and help with
day-to-day activities. For more information, visit http://www.homeinstead.com.
Contact
Susan Strecker Richard
Editor-in-Chief, Caring Today
203.254.0783, x104
ssrichard@caringtoday.com
Wendy Marx
Marx Communications
203.445.2850
wendy@marxcommunications.com
SOURCE Caring Today
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease and Memory Loss in Later Life
