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Caring for a sick or disabled family member is a stressful, twenty-four hour-a-day, unpaid job that many are forced to take on at some point in their lives. Did you know that in the United States, 80% of caregivers are unpaid family members? These selfless individuals often take on the responsibility of several professionals, completing tasks as varied as administering injections to providing transportation and other necessities. The individuals who choose caregiving as a profession (working in jobs such as nurse aides) perform the same dizzying array of important tasks and are often over-worked and under-compensated. It is of utmost importance that we respect and recognize all of the people who take on this difficult and demanding job.
During the month of November, we pause annually to recognize both family and professional caregivers during National Caregiver's Month. The National Family Caregiver's Association has announced that this year, the focus of the awareness event will center on educating family caregivers of their own personal rights:
This is an opportunity to advocate for stronger public policy addressing family caregiving issues and raise awareness about community programs supporting family caregivers. This is also a time to focus on encouraging family caregivers to always...
Believe in Yourself.
Protect Your Health.
Reach Out for Help.
Speak Up for Your Rights
However, some caregiving professionals are skeptical about the efficacy of a national awareness month when caregivers continue to face many of the same challenges that they did decades ago. Denise questions the motive behind the press releases in her post, "Blah, blah, blah:"
It’s the same press release I’ve received every November 1 for the past 10 years—or so it seems. The legislation typically duplicates what’s already available–like a resource center for family caregivers and professionals. Don’t we have enough of these resource centers, which really are the dozens of caregiving websites already established? Do we really need another?
Honestly, I just don’t think these legislators have any idea what family caregivers need! They have a vague idea, such as family caregivers need help. So, bam!, they think a resource center will help. What a waste! How about setting up grant programs so family caregivers can manage their own help? So they have the money to hire the help they need and use the services they want without jumping through that awful bureaucratic red tape?
ARGH!
However, the Caregiver's Beacon provides some practical tips for caregivers that allow them to care for themselves appropriately:
...Other steps you can take include identifying yourself as caregiver when speaking to others, protecting your health, going to a support group, and asking for help when you need it. Striving for flexibility with balancing work and time that you need is another step caregivers can take.
You can also wear a personal medical ID tag identifying yourself as a caregiver so that if something happens to you, others will know that the person you care for needs help.
If you personally know someone who is a caregiver (or you are one yourself), National Family Caregiver's Month is the perfect time to let that person know how important their job is.
