By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

During our younger years, our parents take care of us. They put food on the table, provide a roof over our heads, and make countless sacrifices on our behalf. But many times, as we get older, the roles are reversed and the child must take care of the parent. It’s a difficult decision to become the care giver of a loved one, but it’s something that occurs with increasing frequency in today’s world. In fact, the numbers are staggering: according to AARP, more than 34 million unpaid caregivers provide care someone age 18 and older who is ill or has a disability; the Institute of Medicine has estimated that unpaid caregivers provide 90 percent of long-term care; and the National Alliance for Caregiving has found that caregivers are having difficulty finding time for one’s self, managing emotional and physical stress, and balancing work and family responsibilities. In fact, 53 percent of caregivers who said their health had gotten worse due to caregiving also said the decline in their health has affected their ability to provide care.

So when Frances Nunez of Pennsauken decided to take care of her mother, who suffered a brain aneurism in 2013, as well as her father, who has batted with bi-polar disorder for much of his life, she wasn’t quite prepared for the impact it would have on her life.

“Mom was being treated up in Trenton and Dad was at Cooper in Camden. That was overwhelming,” says Nunez. “That first week, we had a lot of family members coming in to help. But once all the family was gone, I would take care of finances, grocery shopping, and medication. I had to take care of their needs and my needs as well. I had to take off of work, which affected me financially. It affected me emotionally, too. It was really hard. I felt like no one understood what I was talking about. I felt pretty alone.”

That experience helped form the impetus to create CarePackage for CareGivers, a Pennsauken-based organization dedicated to creating care packages that provide resources and gifts to help cater to the physical, mental and spiritual needs of family caregivers.

“When someone gets sick, we ask about how they’re doing. You don’t necessarily ask the caregiver how they’re doing. It’s not because people aren’t concerned. They just don’t think about that aspect of it,” explains Nunez. “The caregiver takes on the concerns of the person that they care for. So many people are going through this. These people need a place to be honored for what they do. They need resources and support. So I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be nice to have a care package for caregivers?’”

Founded in June of last year, the organization’s goal is to put together 100 care packages for family caregivers who participate in the support group at Twin Oaks Community Services, the organization that helps Frances with her father. Already, they have received donations from Adventure Aquarium, Bayada Home Health Care, and BJ’s Wholesale Club, as well financial support from private donors. “We’re actually trying to do a lot,” says Nunez. To help with the costs of fulfilling these care packages, as well as to raise funds to grow the program, CarePackages for CareGivers is sponsoring a special benefit concert. “Bridging Hands: A Benefit Concert for Caregivers will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 642 Market St., Camden, NJ. The event, held on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m., features Damaris Thillet, Diego Correa, vocalist Lee Mo, and other notable musicians.

“We want people to come and enjoy the concert,” says Nunez. “This is a wonderful event that benefits silent heroes that give up their lives for the people under their care. They should be acknowledged and supported because so much hinges on their health and wellbeing.”

Tickets are $10 per person or $30 for a family of four. To order tickets, call Latona Randall at (609) 458-5096 or Frances Nunez (para espanol) at (609) 560-1886. For additional information and online ticket purchase, visit https://carepackage-for-caregivers.ticketleap.com.