Caregiver 101
Who are you?
Defining the Caregiver role.
Everyday there will be challenges, however the biggest ones you will encounter is having an understanding of what is involved in this role and being aware of how it will impact your life.
My sister and I understand because we have been through it so we are going to help you become become Empowered not Overpowered by your new responsibilities.
We feel a little knowledge goes a long way. Everyone's journey will be different. Everyone's situation will be different. However, we have identified core concepts that no matter where you are in this process, they will apply.
We call it #Caregiver101. Basic knowledge and an understanding of these responsibilities will help you to better navigate through the challenges of this role.
So let's get started!
Defining the Role
According to Wikipedia, "A caregiver is a paid or unpaid member of a person's social network who helps them with activities of daily living. Since they have no specific professional training, they are often described as informal caregivers. Caregivers most commonly assist with impairments related to old age, disability, a disease, or a mental disorder.
Typical duties of a caregiver might include taking care of someone who has a chronic illness or disease; managing medications or talking to doctors and nurses on someone's behalf; helping to bathe or dress someone who is frail or disabled; or taking care of household chores, meals, or processes both formal and informal documentation related to health for someone who cannot do these things alone."
Who are We?
We are- a son, a daughter, a niece or nephews, a son or daughter -in-law, or a grandchild of an aging parent or loved one.
Yes it is true that most of the time a Daughter or the Daughter-In-Law will be the one taking on this responsibility as the Caregiver; however, sons and millennials are finding themselves in this role, too.
Defining "Family Caregivers"
Family caregivers (also known as “carers”) are “relatives, friends, or neighbors who provide assistance related to an underlying physical or mental disability for at-home care delivery and assist in the activities of daily living (ADLs) who are unpaid and have no formal training to provide those services” as defined by Wikipedia.
Typical Caregiver Duties
Are you a Caregiver already and not even know it? Are taking care of someone who has a chronic illness, disease, or unable to care for themselves due to their age? Are you performing any of these duties?
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Transportation to medical appointments?
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Purchasing or organizing medications?
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Monitoring their medical condition?
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Communicating with health care professionals?
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Advocating on their behalf with providers or agencies?
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Getting in and out of beds or chairs?
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Getting dressed?
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Bathing or showering?
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Grocery or other shopping?
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Housework?
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Preparing meals?
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Managing finances?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then you are a Caregiver.
Words Of Wisdom
There are only four kinds of people in this world:
those who have been caregivers,
those who are currently caregivers,
those who will be caregivers and
those who will need caregivers.
Caregiving is universal.
- Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady of the United States
Anastasia, Aging Parents Management
My sister and I never considered ourselves Caregivers or understood what it truly meant to be one until after our parents were gone. We just thought we were doing what daughters are suppose to - take care of our parents.
My sister and I never saw ourselves as Caregivers. We just thought we were two sisters taking care of our parents. Turns out we were co-caregivers and we did not even realize it until after our parents were gone.
The problem with being a Caregiver is not in the definition or with the duties. It is being aware and prepared for it all.
It is a role that everyone is going to assume one day so why is there not more being said about it? This is the problem that we intend to solve.
Now that you know who you are and what your future has instore, let's get prepared to care. All you will need to do is sign up for a FREE Membership!