Last month, the United States observed “National Caregivers Month”. Caregivers are a group of people that form an integral, yet often overlooked, part of our society. While they navigate and satisfy the needs of those they look after, they must also handle the complexities of their own personal, work, and social lives. The sacrifices, commitment, and tasks that are necessary for being a caregiver are extensive and speak volumes about the people that take on the role. For some, this role is one that is prefaced by training and resembles more of a career path. For others, this is something that is thrust upon them, and much of the training and education is done in real time and learned over a number of months or years.
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What is a “caregiver”?
A caregiver can be described as a family member, friend, or professional who helps assist another in their daily activities. Caregivers typically assist the chronically sick, elderly, or those with developmental disabilities. The daily duties performed by a caregiver range far and wide. Administering medications, assisting in proper hygiene, and providing meals are duties that can typically fall under the purview of caregivers. Additional duties can include running errands, performing household chores, and providing companionship or mental stimulation. Every situation in which a caregiver is present is different. Because of that, there is not a singular daily duty performed by caregivers that can be deemed as more important than the others. All activities performed by a caregiver can be considered essential depending on the situation.
At Home Superheroes
Simply put, caregivers help to make the world go round. The care, comfort, and constant attention they provide on a daily basis makes life easier for thousands of people every day. Whether an at-home caregiver is professionally trained or has naturally taken on their role out of necessity or passion, the compassionate services they provide must not be overlooked. Dedicated, compassionate, selfless– these are just some of the words that are commonly used to describe the caregivers in our lives. And these words are being used more and more commonly these days– a recent study finds that “more than one in five Americans (21.3 percent) are caregivers, having provided care to an adult or child with special needs at some time in the past 12 months. This totals an estimated 53.0 million adults in the United States”. (Source)
Showing Appreciation
The circumstances and situations that lead to the need for a caregiver are, more times than not, unfortunate and difficult to handle. Increasingly, caregivers must balance a full-time time job with their newfound caregiving responsibilities. Add to that, the difficulty and stress brought on by the holiday season, caregivers have quite a full plate when it comes to juggling these multiple facets of life. This is why we have to celebrate National CareGivers Month. As the holiday season rolls on, the nation (and the world for that matter) continues to navigate the complexities of 2020 while trying their best to experience some semblance of normalcy with family and friends. But we must also remember that although 2020 has been a jolt to our collective psyche, the sacrifices we have made this year are not out of the norm for caregivers. No matter the year or situation, caregivers have and will continue to make these sacrifices and show true compassion for their loved ones, friends, and members of their social networks. Whether it’s a short message or handwritten note to someone you know in a caregiving position or donating to a network that supports caregivers during this National caregivers month with financial, emotional, and training help — everything helps these individuals to feel appreciated. Let us continue to celebrate the hard work and sacrifices these brave men and women make on a daily basis in order to ensure our loved ones continue to have a certain quality of care and life.
Visibly Better Protection
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