Washington, DC (November 10, 2016) – There are more than 90 million caregivers in America, and research has shown that they often sacrifice their own health when caring for their loved ones. Because getting the right nutrition is the foundation of health, Caregiver Action Network (CAN) and Abbott, are raising awareness this National Family Caregivers Month on the importance of good nutrition for both caregivers and those receiving care.
As part of the “Take Care to Give Care” theme this year, CAN and Abbott have created resources to help caregivers and their loved ones stay well-nourished and healthy. Caregivers will have access to the CAN Nutrition Toolbox, which will include nutrition tips and advice for staying well-nourished, including if they are recovering from an illness or managing a chronic condition. The toolbox will also offer caregivers nutrition advice for maintaining strength and energy through good nutrition.
“The stress of dealing with caregiving responsibilities leads to a higher risk of health issues among family caregivers. So it’s important for family caregivers to remember to pay attention to their own wellness,” said John Schall, Chief Executive Officer of CAN. “And that begins with getting proper nutrition and rest.”
“As caregivers are often health ambassadors for their loved ones, having good nutrition themselves is just as important to living their best life as it is for the people they are caring for,” said Abby Sauer, a registered dietitian at Abbott. “Nutrition is the foundation of your health — from warding off chronic diseases to giving you the strength and energy to continue doing the things you love. That’s why Abbott is dedicated to improving the health and lives of the millions caregivers and their families."
The nutrition resources are part of a larger commitment to caregivers as Abbott joins CAN’s Corporate Leadership Council. The Corporate Leadership Council is dedicated to CAN’s mission to promote resourcefulness and respect for family caregivers, and provide support for CAN’s services and programs.
Both CAN and Abbott are committed to giving caregivers the information and resources they need for making sure they and the ones they care for are well-nourished, even with a busy schedule. As a leader in science-based nutrition, Abbott is behind some of the most recognized brand names, including Ensure®, Glucerna®, Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, EAS® and ZonePerfect®.
To find more information for caregivers and their loved ones, visit www.CaregiverAction.org or https://ensure.com/caregivers.
About CAN
Caregiver Action Network (www.CaregiverAction.org) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with special needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN reaches caregivers on multiple platforms. CAN (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.
About Abbott
At Abbott (NYSE: ABT), we're committed to helping you live your best possible life through the power of health. For more than 125 years, we've brought new products and technologies to the world -- in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and branded generic pharmaceuticals -- that create more possibilities for more people at all stages of life. Today, 74,000 of us are working to help people live not just longer, but better, in the more than 150 countries we serve.