According to the Webster dictionary, the meaning of CAREGIVER is a person who provides direct care (for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill). The Family Caregiver Alliance describes a caregiver as any relative, partner, friend or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with and provides a broad range of assistance for an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition. These individuals may be primary or secondary caregivers and live with, or separately from, the person receiving care.
According to “Caregiving in the U.S. 2015,” a national survey conducted for the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute, 40 million Americans are providing care for an adult family member or friend, yet few of these identify themselves as caregivers.
What classifies someone as a caregiver?
A family caregiver can be someone caring for a spouse or parent, an adult child with disabilities or health conditions, an extended family member, or even a friend or neighbor.
Do you provide someone help with:
- transportation to medical appointments
- purchasing or organizing medications
- monitoring their medical condition
- communicating with health care professionals
- getting in and out of beds or chairs
- getting dressed, bathing or showering
- grocery or other shopping
- housework
- preparing meals
- managing finances
If answered you yes, to any one of these questions-You are a caregiver. Many people consider themselves a dedicated child, spouse, or parent of another. You are. You are also a caregiver.
What does it mean to be a Caregiver:
Today, family caregivers provide about 80 percent of childcare, elder care, delivering meals, taking loved ones to doctor’s visits, managing medications and family conflicts. This results in lost work hours or lost jobs, high stress and serious declines in physical and mental health. Today’s generation of caregivers may have not only an elderly parent to care for, but also children young enough to still be at home. Adult children are leaving the nest later and are remaining more costly to parents longer as their own parents’ age and need attention and financial support.
Caregivers today are struggling to cope with the needs of aging and ill loved ones, while trying to keep their careers and personal life from neglect. Many caregivers who work and provide care, experience conflicts between these competing responsibilities. Research indicates that caregiving also exacts a significant emotional, physical, and financial toll. With nearly half of all caregivers older than age 50, many are vulnerable to a decline in their own health. Studies have shown that coordinated support services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress, and enable them to provide care longer, which avoids or delays the need for costly institutional care.
It’s a fact, caring for another person is stressful. Even though caregiving is one of the most rewarding and selfless acts of kindness a family member can provide, its challenges equal its gifts. A recent survey by the National Opinion Research Center (2014) found that 83 percent of caregivers viewed it as being a positive experience. Many family caregivers report positive experiences from caregiving, including a sense of giving back to someone who has cared for them, the satisfaction of knowing that their loved one is getting excellent care, personal growth and increased meaning and purpose in one’s life. Some caregivers feel that they are passing on a tradition of care and that by modeling caregiving, their children will be more likely to care for them if necessary.
Many caregivers experience both positive experiences and some strain simultaneously (Beach et al., 2000; Harmell et al., 2012). Lawton and colleagues’ (1991) two-factor model suggests that caregivers may experience both emotional distress and psychological satisfaction and growth, effects that are not incompatible. Many caregivers work and provide care, experiencing conflicts between these competing responsibilities. Research indicates that caregiving also exacts a significant emotional, physical, and financial toll. With nearly half of all caregivers older than age 50, many are vulnerable to a decline in their own health. Studies have shown that coordinated support services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress, and enable them to provide care longer, which avoids or delays the need for costly institutional care. Being a family caregiver is a challenging role and likely one that you have not been trained to undertake. And like many family caregivers, you never anticipated this situation.
You do not have to be a nursing expert, a superhero, or a saint to be a good family caregiver. With the right help and support, you can provide loving, effective care without having to sacrifice yourself in the process. And that can make family caregiving a more rewarding experience—for both you and your loved one.
How to get Support
For more information contact or to explore resources for your particular caregiving needs, email Worklife@msu.edu.
