If you’ve recently begun taking care of an older family member, congratulations! You’ve joined an enormous group of people called caregivers. You might not quite know yet what makes you a caregiver or even what it means to be a caregiver. As you gain more experience, your role will become clearer to you. However, that doesn’t mean your experience as a caregiver will be like anybody else’s. Caregivers do all kinds of different things, which might be why people sometimes have trouble identifying themselves as caregivers. If you’re having a hard time identifying as a caregiver, here are some of the things you should know about caregivers and what might make you one.
Family Caregivers Can Be Many Different Kinds of People
There are lots of different kinds of family caregivers. In fact, some of them aren’t technically even family. They can be just good friends or neighbors. Other kinds of family caregivers include:
Caregivers don’t typically provide care on their own. Instead, they may share the job with other family caregivers. In addition, they function as part of the overall care team that includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and specialists.
Caregivers Don’t Have to Live Near the Care Recipient
It is possible to be a caregiver even if you don’t live in the same state as the person receiving care. These people are called long-distance caregivers. They may provide emotional support to the older adult or other caregivers, organize care for them, schedule doctor appointments, or assist with things like finances.
Caregivers Spend Time Learning About Medical Conditions
Most caregivers take it upon themselves to learn as much as possible about the conditions their aging relatives have. This can mean reading books, conducting Internet research, talking to doctors, and attending seminars. Knowing more about the senior’s medical condition allows caregivers to be better advocates and ensure their loved ones get the best care possible.
There’s a Lot of Research Available on Caregivers
Being a caregiver is so common in the United States that there is a large body of research on its effects and statistics concerning who they are and what they do. Some caregiver statistics you may find interesting are:
Sources
https://www.caregiver.org/caregiving
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers/what-a-caregiver-does/who-and-what-are-caregivers.html
http://www.netofcare.org/content/getting_started/family_caregiver.asp
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN OLD TOWN, IL FOR AN AGING LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.
Family Caregivers Can Be Many Different Kinds of People
There are lots of different kinds of family caregivers. In fact, some of them aren’t technically even family. They can be just good friends or neighbors. Other kinds of family caregivers include:
- Spouses.
- Adult children.
- Nieces or nephews.
- Grandchildren.
Caregivers don’t typically provide care on their own. Instead, they may share the job with other family caregivers. In addition, they function as part of the overall care team that includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and specialists.
Caregivers Don’t Have to Live Near the Care Recipient
It is possible to be a caregiver even if you don’t live in the same state as the person receiving care. These people are called long-distance caregivers. They may provide emotional support to the older adult or other caregivers, organize care for them, schedule doctor appointments, or assist with things like finances.
Caregivers Spend Time Learning About Medical Conditions
Most caregivers take it upon themselves to learn as much as possible about the conditions their aging relatives have. This can mean reading books, conducting Internet research, talking to doctors, and attending seminars. Knowing more about the senior’s medical condition allows caregivers to be better advocates and ensure their loved ones get the best care possible.
There’s a Lot of Research Available on Caregivers
Being a caregiver is so common in the United States that there is a large body of research on its effects and statistics concerning who they are and what they do. Some caregiver statistics you may find interesting are:
- The average caregiver is a 46-year-old woman who is employed outside the home. She spends 20 or more hours per week on caregiving duties.
- Many people who provide care to older adults are over age 65 themselves.
- There are around 44 million caregivers in the United States. Together, they provide about 37 billion hours of unpaid care each year.
Sources
https://www.caregiver.org/caregiving
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers/what-a-caregiver-does/who-and-what-are-caregivers.html
http://www.netofcare.org/content/getting_started/family_caregiver.asp
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN OLD TOWN, IL FOR AN AGING LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.