November 2025: National Family Caregivers Month
For National Caregivers Month, we have compiled resources and information relevant to caregivers, both local to Cleveland County and nationally. We have also included some resources aimed at educating caregivers. If you know of resources that you believe should be included here, please send us an email here.
Has Someone You Care About Been Diagnosed with a Mental Health Condition?
Before jumping into “helper mode” when someone you care for has received a mental health diagnosis, consider educating yourself about the diagnosis. Mental Health America (MHA) National has an educational database on a wide range of mental health conditions.
MHA National also encourages caregivers to assess their thoughts around mental health conditions. Stigma around mental health is common, even among people who mean well. Stigma can cause more harm if left unchecked. Consider resources to help practice being more empathetic. Learn more by reading “How to be More Empathetic” and checking out “Worksheets for Developing Empathy.
It can be difficult to know how to talk about mental health, especially when the symptoms and diagnosis of it have led to change within the household. Not only can the symptoms affect family relationships and lead to strains in the relationship, mental health conditions affect people differently. This means that the only way to understand how someone is being impacted by their mental heat condition is to talk to them. However, while some people are eager to express themselves, others may be more reserved. Here is a list of tips from MHA National on how to approach someone you care for:
Be careful about giving advice, and when you do, make sure they are open to it. You can offer suggestions on what might help or even support them by taking them to a therapy appointment, however treatment works best when the person who is receiving it actually buys into it.
If you are a parent, make sure to explain to your child why they are expected to adhere to a specific treatment plan and be open to listening to their concerns about their own treatment.
If you have had your own experiences with mental health, it can be helpful to share your experiences to connect and help the other person feel supported. Don't assume that your experiences will be the same, and be open to hearing how theirs differs from yours.
Ask what you can do to help, including being present while they vent. Other ways to help is to assist with daily demands such as dishes, grocery shopping, picking up children from school, etc. Offering support here can help alleviate some of the stressors affecting the person. Be open to the fact that some people may just want space.
To learn more about active listening, read here or watch here.
Additional mental health support resources for caregivers can be found here.
Information on crisis planning for caregivers can be found here.
Local Resources
Foothills Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging: Serving Cleveland, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford counties, AAA “focuses on supporting and assisting older adults in obtaining aging services offered in their communities through local aging service providers.”
Broad River Grandparents Raising Grandchildren & Kinship Care Support Group: Support group meetings are free, but registration is required so that age-appropriate child care can be provided at each meeting. Leaning and fun activities are coordinated by Extension staff, community partners, and volunteers. Children also receive a light snack.
Meetings are held monthly from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at N.C. Cooperative Extension Cleveland County Center, 130 S. Post Road, Suite 1, Shelby, NC 28152
Cleveland County Resource Hub: Information on the resources available to community members, providers, retailers, and more.
Online/National Resources
Caregiver One Call: 24/7 Phone Support, resource navigation and referrals, and more.
Call 833-927-6599
Family Caregiver Toolbox: Resource list searchable by type of caregiver, type of condition being cared for, and topic.
Additional help can be found by calling 855-227-3640
Caregiver Focused Well-Being Program: Webinars on topics to teach caregivers “self-care solutions to minimize stress, reduce worry, and help prevent burnout.”
Caregiver Lifeline - “This series offers practical self-care strategies and techniques to help you manage stress, sustain your energy, and help prevent burnout on your caregiving journey.”
NORD Patient Assistance Programs: assistance programs “to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford. These programs provide medication, financial assistance with insurance premiums and co-pays, diagnostic testing assistance, and travel assistance for clinical trials or consultation with disease specialists.”
Family Caregiver Support Groups: Online and in-person support group options for caregivers.
Caregiver Teleconnection: One-hour informative webinars covering topics relevant to caregivers.
Educational webinars in English and Spanish
Feed the Heart Grocery Card Program: Taking applications seasonally, this program gives gift cards to select grocery stores to low-income households.
Gift cards can only be redeemed at grocery stores, not stores like Walmart or Target.
Road to Recovery Gas Card Program: Taking applications seasonally to offer gift cards to help cover the cost of gas for low income families.
Military and Veteran Caregiver Network by American Red Cross: “provide our nation’s military and veteran caregivers of all eras with peer support to reduce isolation and increase connection, engagement, knowledge, skills and hope. MVCN offers peer-based support and services to connect those providing care to service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses, injuries and/or aging.”
