On February 16th, we celebrate National Caregiver’s Day: honoring both career caregivers and unpaid family members and friends who play a critical role in the well-being of those who need help to live day to day. It’s been called the hardest job you’ll ever love.
It’s no secret that as the population ages, both physical and mental disabilities can worsen. Many rely on help to get through their daily routines. Long-term chronic diseases and disabilities are affecting more people each year—with nearly one in five Americans providing unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs.
Caregiving can take many forms, help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing and meal prep, or something as simple as running errands or paying bills. Caregivers also provide emotional support to those they care for, which can take a toll on their own physical and mental health.
Personal Caregiving: A Balancing Act
“I just didn’t expect it to be this hard,” said Bev, a 59-year-old dietitian who has provided care for her mother over the last three years. Bev went on to say, “Mom is a sweetheart and I’m happy to be with her, but it gets a physically and mentally exhausting after a while.” Bev realized that she was spending more than 37 hours per week caring for her mother—which in addition to her full-time job, left little time for her own family.
“Since I was the only one still living near mom, I assumed all the caregiving tasks. When I finally explained to my siblings what was going on, they immediately offered to help, and we split up a lot of the duties. Now the time I spend with mom is more enjoyable to me because I’m not rushing around and trying to get everything done. I realize this is a gift to have this time with her and I am grateful.”
The Rewards of Caregiving
Whether paid or unpaid, caregivers express that caregiving can be a very rewarding experience. “I love my job and the people I help,” said Roy, a Resident Assistant at Pillars of Prospect Park, an Ebenezer communty. Roy joined the Ebenezer team because he wanted to change careers. “Ebenezer provided excellent training. Even though I had never done this before, I had confidence in what I was doing because of the support I got from my team,” said Roy, who has now been with Ebenezer for more than four years.
“My favorite part of my job is getting to know the people I take care of. I realize that in receiving this kind of care from someone, there’s a vulnerability there. I understand that and I try to get to know them well and help them feel safe,” Roy continued. He spends his day assisting residents with daily activities, ensuring that they enjoy a high quality of life and maintain their dignity and independence. “I’ve developed some great friendships with the residents and their families. There are some amazing people here that make my job very enjoyable,” he shared.
Whether you’re caring for a family member in an unpaid capacity or a professional caregiver, what you do makes a difference! Caregiving is an important public health resource that affects the quality of life for millions of individuals. National Caregiver’s Day is a great time to recognize and honor those individuals who selflessly provide personal care, and physical- and emotional support to those who need it most. Thank you for all you do.
