New national observance calls on communities to recognize, appreciate, and give care back to Black family caregivers
Nationwide — The inaugural National Black Family Caregivers Day™ was observed on October 15, 2026, creating a dedicated day to recognize, appreciate, and support Black family caregivers. Founded by caregiver and registered nurse Christy Moore, RN, BSN, MA, pictured in the accompanying photo, the observance is officially registered with and entered into the National Day Archives.
The need for greater recognition and support is reflected in the AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving’s Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 report. The research found that African American/Black caregivers are among those more likely to experience negative financial impacts from caregiving, affecting savings, debt, and the ability to pay bills and basic expenses. Black caregivers are also among the groups more often helping with care-coordination tasks.
Moore founded the day from her own experience caring for her husband, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2021, while working full-time and helping care for her parents. Initially, she poured her time and energy into everyone else. Stress, sleeplessness, and hair loss followed. A conversation with a social worker challenged her to become a “self-caregiver” first. She began prioritizing her own well-being, losing more than 40 pounds, addressing her depression, leaving an unhealthy work environment, and making room again for her own life.
“I created National Black Family Caregivers Day™ because I want Black family caregivers to know that their lives matter, too,” Moore said. “Not just because of what they do for everyone else, but because their own health, needs, wants, dreams and lives matter. I want this to be a day when we see them, appreciate them, and give some care back to the people who give so much of it.”
The inaugural observance centers on two initiatives: Adopt a Caregiver and I Am a Caregiver. Adopt a Caregiver asks people to choose one caregiver and do something that person actually needs or wants on or around October 15. A free guide offers no- and low-cost ways to provide support locally or virtually and a simple script for asking caregivers what would be helpful. Those who can are encouraged to continue showing up beyond the day.
I Am a Caregiver helps caregivers take the other side of that conversation. A companion guide offers simple words and practical ideas for asking for what they need—or simply want—before becoming overwhelmed. Participants can also personalize a National Black Family Caregivers Day pledge graphic, share it on social media, and use #NationalBlackFamilyCaregiversDay to encourage others to participate.
The observance coincides with new episodes of Moore’s My Best Caregiver Life podcast, which uplifts Black family caregivers and centers their lives and well-being. The October 15 episodes include the story behind the Day, an introduction to the podcast’s mission, and a conversation with caregiving expert and Moore’s mentor Denise Brown about what caregivers need now.
“Caregiving is something you do. It’s not who you are,” Moore said. “It’s a chapter in your story, not the whole book.”
About National Black Family Caregivers Day™
National Black Family Caregivers Day™ is an annual observance held every October 15th, founded by Christy Moore, RN, BSN, MA, a registered nurse, Certified Professional Coach, Certified Caregiving Consultant, caregiver to her husband and co-caregiver to her parents. The observance recognizes and supports Black family caregivers while reminding them that their health, identity, needs, wants, and dreams matter, too. Be sure to follow @MyBestCareGiverLife on Instagram.
To participate and download the free Adopt a Caregiver and I Am a Caregiver guides and pledge graphic, visit: my-best-caregiver-life.kit.com/73b6215410
About My Best Caregiver Life
My Best Caregiver Life is a podcast hosted by Christy Moore, RN, BSN, MA, that uplifts Black family caregivers and centers the caregiver as a whole person, not only the caregiving role. To listen, visit https://mybestcaregiverlife.buzzsprout.com