Are you a family caregiver? A family caregiver is an unpaid person who cares for a family member, friend or neighbor. Did you know that there are over 44 million family caregivers in our country?



Each year, the White House designates November as National Family Caregivers Month. In his 2008 proclamation, the president said, “Through their selfless action, caregivers provide their loved ones support and comfort as they age, combat illness, or suffer from disability.”

During November, the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) invites all Americans to thank, support, educate, and empower family caregivers. The NFCA encourages caregivers to speak up for the rights of their loved ones and all caregivers. If 44 million caregivers all spoke up, that would be a very strong voice indeed!

One way to develop your voice is by identifying yourself as a family caregiver in everyday conversations with friends, family and healthcare professionals. It can be very empowering.

You can also let elected officials know your thoughts on key issues affecting family caregivers. To keep up-to-date on what you can do to add your voice to the growing number of family caregivers who are speaking up, visit www.nfcacares.org.

Suzanne Mintz, president and co-founder of NFCA, has recently released a new book called A Family Caregiver Speaks Up. The book contains lessons from other caregivers and tips for managing the healthcare system. It also discusses how public policy can affect many aspects of life in caregiving families. Visit www.barnesandnoble.com to order.

The Caregivers Marketplace is pleased to introduce three new eligible brands for 2009 – Kaopectate, an anti-diarrhea product; Balmex, a diaper rash treatment; and Benzodent, a pain relieving cream for denture or braces wearers.

Look for the updated 2009 cash back form on our Web site, www.caregiversmarketplace.com, beginning January 1, 2009.

Do you still have receipts from 2008 at home? If so, there is still time to mail them in for your rebate. You must mail your receipts and this year’s completed cash back form to us by January 31, 2009.

Educate yourself. Caring for a loved one, especially another adult, is not always intuitive. It is okay to have questions.

You may need to learn more about your loved one’s disease or disibility, their financial circumstances, or how to make home modifications. There are many places to turn for information – the Internet, library, bookstore, local support groups, national organizations, family, friends and even Caregivers Marketplace.

The important thing to remember is that you do have resources available to you, and no one expects you to have all the answers without guidance.

How does this program work?
Whenever you purchase eligible products, save your original sales receipts. Once a minimum of five eligible products has been purchased, fill out the cash back form, attach the original receipts and send them in. You'll receive a cash back check in 4-6 weeks.

If Caregivers Marketplace is free to caregivers, who is paying for the program?
You are never charged any fee to participate. The product manufacturers that offer cash back through Caregivers Marketplace pay to participate.

Do I have to be a caregiver to enroll?
No. We designed Caregivers Marketplace with family caregivers in mind, but anyone who purchases these products can enroll in and use the program.

What if I do not have five products to submit for cash back?
Each form must list a minimum of five products, but they can be either the same or different products.

Is there a maximum number of times I can request cash back?
No. We encourage you to submit requests regularly. The more you request, the more you save!

Where can I purchase products that are eligible for cash back?
Anywhere the products are sold. However, we encourage you to shop at official retail outlets who partner with us. They carry our cash back forms right in store. For a list of official retail outlets near you, please visit our Web site.

Is it really as easy as 1-2-3?
Yes!
1) Buy five or more eligible products
2) Send in your receipts and a completed cash back form
3) Receive your check in 4-6 weeks

Call us at 800-888-0889 or visit our Web site, www.caregiversmarketplace.com, for
more details.

November is American Diabetes Month, and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is asking, "Why should you care about diabetes?" Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, blindness and amputation, yet nearly 25% of people who have it don't even know it.

It’s likely that you or a loved one has been affected by diabetes in some way. Even if you haven't been directly affected, you should be aware that diabetes is one of the biggest public health crises of this century.

Over 23 million people in the United States have diabetes. Since 1987, the death rate for this disease has continued to grow. If current trends continue, one out of three American children born in 2000 will develop the diesase in their lifetime.