Need ideas for your upcoming employee newsletters? Check out our list of November key dates & events, with links to helpful resources. Throughout the holiday season, remember to remind staff about EAP availability as a free, confidential source of help!
For many people, November is synonymous with Thanksgiving – football, family, and food! But the real purpose is to take time out for thankfulness and gratitude! It’s a time for counting our blessings and strengthening our connections. It’s also a time when many reach out to support those who may not have family or the resources to share in the abundance of the season. Reach out to the elderly, the homeless, and the grieving by donating or volunteering at a food bank or dropping off a meal in a visit to someone who is alone. It’s also a good time to offer a heartfelt “thank you” to colleagues and other important people in our lives. Over time, small acts of recognition and thanks build trust, boost morale, and foster a culture of care. With the holidays and particularly Thanksgiving ahead, look for simple ways to share your appreciation – in words, notes, or small gestures. Like kindness, gratitude is contagious, and your expression of it may travel further than you realize.
Here are other key events in November:
National Family Caregivers Month
November is a time to show support and to honor our nation’s vital caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month. The National Council on Aging acknowledges and honors more than 53 million family caregivers who provide unpaid care “around the clock”. That means around-the-clock dedication, organization, responsibility, scheduling, and hands-on care.
- Learn more about how to support family caregivers
- Learn about Aging in Place – from home modifications to financial options and support systems
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) says the month is a time to heighten awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and show support for the more than 6.2 million Americans living with it, as well as for the more than 11 million caregivers and family members. Teal is the color of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America because it is a calming color. More than 1,300 structures around the world will “Go Teal” this year to raise awareness and show support for the millions of people affected by Alzheimer’s.
- Learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- Find resources for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers
- Get a free virtual memory screening from the AFA
American Diabetes Month
November is American Diabetes Month, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) which is also celebrating their 85th year of being part of advancements in diabetes knowledge, treatment, and care. Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 38 million U.S. children and adults have diabetes. The ADA provides a wealth of resources on the various types of diabetes, diabetes prevention, and more – including:
- Warning Signs and Symptoms
- Living with Diabetes – including the Diabetes Food Hub
- Find Diabetes and Obesity Fact Sheets for your state
- Take the 60-Second Diabetes Type 2 Risk Test (online)
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
The American Lung Association sponsors Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November every year. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death overall and among both men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 197,000 people in the United States are told they have lung cancer, and about 136,000 people die from this disease each year, Nearly 9 in 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking cigarettes – but tobacco use can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body. People who currently smoke or smoked in the last 15 years, may be eligible for a new low-dose CT lung cancer screening test. Screening is used to detect lung cancer early, when it is more likely to be curable.
- If you are a member of ESI EAP, call to connect with a Quit Smoking Coach.
- Check out other resources to quit smoking from the American Lung Association
Other noteworthy November dates:
- National Epilepsy Awareness Month
- 11/12 – World Pneumonia Day
- 11/14 – World Diabetes Day – focus: Diabetes and the Workplace
- 11/20 – Great American Smokeout
- 11/27 – Thanksgiving
ESI EAP November Member Webinar (Online)
Mindful Eating – Does eating in your car or wolfing down lunch at your desk sound familiar? Between hectic schedules and the different roles that food plays in our lives, eating mindfully can be a challenge. In this session, learn the concept of mindful eating and how to apply it as we explore the role mindfulness plays both in managing weight and enhancing physical and emotional wellbeing. To access this Webinar and related resources, ESI EAP members can log in to www.theEAP.com during November.