Caregivers Week Offers a Chance to Say Thanks at the Start of Holiday Season
The annual programming series shines a spotlight on the people who do so much to pursue cures for their children and loved ones
The Children’s Inn at NIH is beginning to get into the holiday spirit in ways that go far beyond lights and decorations. Last week, The Inn celebrated Caregivers Week, taking the time to honor the parents, guardians, and companions who sacrifice so much of themselves to ensure that their young, loved ones can pursue their best hopes for cures at the National Institutes of Health.
The Inn’s programming team put on a series of activities and events with these caregivers in mind, finding ways to thank and recognize caregivers for their contributions to their loved ones’ health, the advancement of medical science, and the warm and joyful community that makes The Inn “A Place Like Home.”
Ivania Flores, the Health and Wellbeing Coordinator at The Inn, remarked on the unique opportunity that Caregivers Week brings. “We love having this chance to celebrate our fantastic caregivers!” she said. “These are people who have been living and breathing their kids’ medical journeys since Day One, long before they arrived at The Inn. So much of what we do is geared towards the kids, and we see these caregivers with smiles on their faces just because their kids are happy. So for us, it means so much to celebrate them when we can.”
Throughout the week, the atmosphere at The Inn took on an extra layer of calm and comfort as caregivers enjoyed moments of well-deserved relaxation. One of the most popular offerings was a dedicated massage day. Skilled massage therapists from Massage at Work transformed a quiet corner of The Inn into a peaceful oasis, where caregivers could unwind, release tension, and simply take a breath.
Caregivers also enjoyed a special shopping trip arranged by The Inn’s programming team. Whether choosing holiday surprises for family members back home or picking out something uplifting for themselves, the outing offered a light-hearted change of pace from visits to the Clinical Center.
The Inn also hosted a Spa Day where volunteers and staff created a warm, welcoming space filled with soothing music, soft lighting, and stations for skincare, nail care, and relaxation. For those who enjoy creativity and calming scents, hands-on activities in making essential oil blends and candles provided a therapeutic outlet. Caregivers experimented with a wide variety of fragrances to craft personalized blends to take with them.
Yoga sessions offered another opportunity to reconnect mind and body. Led by a gentle and encouraging instructor from the NIH Recreation & Wellness office, caregivers stretched, breathed deeply, and found stillness on their mats. Even those new to yoga found comfort in simply being present, surrounded by others who share a similar journey.
The week concluded with a tea and sweets reception, a gathering where caregivers could savor delicious snacks, sip calming teas, and enjoy the company of new and old friends.
Caregivers Week served as a powerful reminder of The Inn’s mission: to provide not just a place to stay, but a warm, welcoming Place Like Home. Through these moments of rest, joy, and connection, The Inn found ways to say “thank you” to the people who walk alongside their children every day by offering a little bit of care and special attention meant just for them.
