Rosalynn Carter, photo credit Washington Post Photo by Nikki Kahn
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”
—Rosalynn Carter, 39th First Lady of the United States
5 Reasons Why Caregivers Need Support
Caregivers play an important role in providing care for their elderly or disabled loved ones. However, caregivers need support to increase their chances of having an effective and healthy caregiving experience over the long haul.
Following are the top five reasons why caregivers need support:
- Caring for a sick or disabled loved one can be complicated. Caregivers must possess a variety of skills, depending on the needs of their loved ones. Some caregivers provide their loved ones with emotional support, whereas others might aid with lawn care and grocery shopping, and yet others provide total care and help their loved ones. Thus, caregivers must be versatile and prepared for the many aspects of providing care for a sick or disabled loved one.
- It can Feel Like it is a Thankless Job. Not everyone knows or understands all that is involved in caregiving, so it can feel like it is a thankless job. It is important for caregivers to educate family and friends about what caregiving entails and, if possible, to ask them for help.
- It is easy to start but hard to quit. Caring for a close friend or family member is not like having a regular job. Many times, the hours are not set, the role changes with the loved one’s needs, and there are emotional ties that are often not present in the traditional workplace setting.
- It often requires a long-term commitment. Many caregivers provide care for a loved one over an extended period.
- It can be lonely. If a caregiver does not have outlets or supports, he or she may end up feeling isolated and alone.
Three Tips for Family Caregivers
Caregivers do not have to go alone. You may find the following resources helpful as you celebrate and honor family caregivers.
Encourage Caregivers to Develop a Plan. Developing a plan for the care of your loved one or client is vitally important to your success and longevity. Your plan can serve as a guide as you care for both you and your loved one. Please follow our five-step process to create your action plan.
Encourage Caregivers to Take Care of Themselves. Assessing your situation creates a benchmark, it is empowering, and it increases the likelihood that you will be successful as you care for yourself and your loved one. The “Caregiver Support Tool” is a great place to start when it comes to self-care.
Encourage Caregivers to Take a Training Course. Caregivers care for family and friends with more complex medical needs. Training is essential for caregivers to feel confident in the care they provide.
We hope that you take a moment to honor caregivers!
Portions of this article were previously published and can be accessed at https://caregiversupportservices.com/caregiver-wellness-national-family-caregivers-month/
