Caregiving consists of joint relationships focusing only on the needs of care-recipients. Caregivers are the significant but forgotten halves of these alliances. Quality care environments are created by satisfying the needs of caregivers AND care-recipients. In order to provide consistent quality care, caregivers need….

1.) ….dependable emotional support. Caregivers need to voice concerns and discuss emotional well-being. Monotonous hectic schedules cause emotional and physical stress. Providing support via in-home visits, phone calls, or respite care is an effective resolution for emotional stress.

2.) ….financial support. Caregiving requires many caregivers to resign from employment. They’re forced to survive on the care-recipient’s fixed income. Others reduce their employment status from full-time to part-time. Caregiver compensation programs are necessary for financial survival.

3.) ….appreciation and recognition for their devotion. Observers must acknowledge the mental, physical, and financial stress of caregiving. Caregivers are heroes working behind-the-scenes creating hope in seemingly hopeless situations. A simple THANK YOU can make a dark day lighter.

4.) ….time to de-stress and recharge. Caregiving is physically and emotionally exhausting. Rest is necessary for effective job performance. Programs enforcing respite care must be made available to caregivers and families. Unsupportive family and friends hinder stress release opportunities for caregivers. Funded respite care programs would foster caregivers’ health and encourage consistent quality care for care-recipients.

5.) ….better employment flexibility. Societal demands require caregivers to work and earn income while caring for loved-ones. Creating a work/caregiving balance is difficult. Many succumb to the exhaustion and are forced to resign from their employment. Employers must be more empathetic by offering reasonable leave of absence programs or schedule flexibility options.

Caregiving is a daunting task requiring endless hours of care and support. Observers focus on the needs of care-recipients and often disregard caregivers’ concerns or well-being. Their concerns may not share the same complexity as the patient’s needs, but are significant in maintaining the proper caregiving/life balance. Caregivers provide loved-ones with hope and security. Family and friends sleep soundly knowing their loved-ones are safe and secure. Caregivers’ needs must be acknowledged! Thank you for reading and take care! Please share!

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