LYNN — Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS)  is organizing a luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 18, to recognize the contributions of family caregivers and celebrate National Family Caregivers Month. 

The event will be held at the GLSS office in Lynn and will encompass educational sessions, a luncheon, a cooking demonstration, chair exercises, and more, aimed at addressing the potential isolation experienced by caregivers. 

According to a press release by GLSS, a substantial segment of Lynn’s population, comprising more than one in five Americans, engages in caregiving responsibilities, providing unpaid assistance valued at over $600 billion to individuals with disabilities. The latest figures, as reported by AARP, indicate an increase from 43 million caregivers in 2015 to an estimated 53 million adults in the United States.

“We know that these numbers will continue to increase as the baby boomer generation ages into the senior demographic,” said Michele Parr, Caregiver Specialist at GLSS. “Caregiving can be rewarding but also very isolating. We want to take this opportunity to show our gratitude to these individuals for the important work they do every day.”

Parr said that data from the Alzheimer’s Association reveals that one in nine individuals aged 65 and older is presently grappling with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or related memory challenges.

According to the press release, GLSS’s Family Caregiver Support Program offers various services, including in-home assessments, information and referral services, education and training opportunities, counseling and support groups, and assistance in finding respite care. The program aims to support caregivers in their crucial role and alleviate the challenges they may encounter.