Family Caregivers

A caregiver or carer is an unpaid or paid person who helps another individual with an impairment with his or her activities of daily living. Any person with a health impairment might use caregiving services to address their difficulties. Caregiving is most commonly used to address 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 [...]

A fundamental part of giving care is being a good communicator with the person getting care. Care is given with respect for the dignity of the person receiving care. The carer remains in contact with the primary health care provider, often a doctor or nurse, and helps the person receiving care make decisions about their health and matters affecting their daily life. In the course of giving care, the caregiver is responsible for managing hygiene of themselves, the person receiving care, and the living environment. Hand washing for both caregivers and persons receiving care happen often. If the person receiving care [...]

There are few guarantees in the life of the caretaker. Many jeopardize their occupations and personal lives because it is simply too difficult to balance those areas with the additional responsibility of caretaking. Scheduling doctor’s appointments, paying bills, and coordinating the care for their family may all fall solely on the caretaker to handle. Isolation is common and is often accompanied by emotional and physical problems. When it comes to finding help, many caretakers do not know where to turn. Quality resources are often difficult to find, and the decision making process can be overwhelming. Without the knowledge of where to [...]

There is a link between mental health and physical health and mind–body interventions may increase physical health by improving mental health. These practices seek to improve a person’s quality of life by helping them socialize with others, keep friendships, do hobbies, and enjoy whatever physical exercise is appropriate. Caregivers encourage people to leave their homes for the health benefits of the resulting physical and mental activity. Depending on a person’s situation, a walk through their own neighborhood or a visit to a park may require planning or have risks, but it is good to do when possible. Depending on a person’s [...]