What is a caregiver?
You may not be one and you may not need one. But that can change over time – and sometimes it changes quickly. By 2035, the US Census Bureau predicts there will be more people over 65 than the number of residents under the age of 18. And parents and their children can be seniors at the same time – so caregiving in your lifetime is real.
The most obvious caregivers are nurses, doctors, CNAs, and other clinicians. But there are many ‘silent caregivers’ we often overlook. Spouses, adult children, friends, and neighbors are also caregivers. When our Hallmark Home Health staff provide services in the home, we meet many of these individuals who volunteer their time to help others in need – and we applaud them for all they do.
Caregivers provide so many personal services for their loved ones.
- Prepare meals
- Help with medication management
- Clean house
- Empty trash
- Handle grocery shopping
- Pay bills
- Run errands
- Do the laundry
- Provide emotional and social support
- Keep doctors and home health nurses/staff updated on any health changes for our clients
- Take care of pets
- Read to their family member or friend
- Check in on loved ones and neighbors
- Sit and listen
- Many more things to assist in daily living
If you know someone who is a caregiver, consider taking time to let him/her know how much she/he is appreciated.
- Send a note of thanks
- Buy them a cup of coffee
- Call to let them know they are appreciated
- Send a small token of appreciation
- Prepare a meal for the caregiver
- Volunteer to help them out to give them a couple of hours of rest
Small tokens of appreciation and thanks go a long way to encourage caregivers. It helps them realize that the things they do are important and they matter.
To all the ‘silent caregivers’ out there, thank you for all you do with such a caring heart!
What are some ways you can encourage caregivers? We’d love to share with our readers.
HALLMARK HOME HEALTH CARE 