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Serving as the family caregiver changed my life; it ended my mother’s. What formal training have your clients received to support them as a caregiver? And what kind of caregiving will they provide? Your clients will face many changes and decisions as a caregiver.
My first opportunity to be a caregiver was with my father who died of pancreatic cancer. A decade later it was my mother’s situation that put me in the caregiver role for a second time. Finally, I served as caregiver for my stepfather.
My caregiver role for my father started when he was wheeled into the operating room; he was given a few months to live. It felt like demands were coming from every direction: hospice, doctors, insurance, end of life decisions, family (extended or otherwise), and more. It felt like there was no control over events; I felt powerless. I lost self-confidence.
A decade later, my mother needed help; she could no longer live alone. My mother moved into my home. It was overwhelming. Caregiving was an uphill battle with obstacles.
Prior to her death, my mother had been the caregiver to her second husband, Charles, for almost 10 years. Her dedication to Charles contributed to her decline in health. He had Parkinson’s Disease and early-stage dementia. Immediately after my mother’s death, I become Charles' caregiver. He was a soft-spoken and kind person.
Today, more than one in five Americans (21.3 percent) are caregivers, having provided care to an adult or child with special needs at some time in the past 12 months. This totals an estimated 53.0 million adults in the United States. And this number is growing.
While many caregivers feel their role has given them a sense of purpose or meaning (51 percent), these positive emotions often coexist with feelings of stress or strain. Caregivers report physical, emotional, and financial strain, with 2 in 10 reporting they feel alone (21 percent). Caregiving in the U.S. 2020
There are no second chances for me with my late dad, mother, or stepfather. Our services can help your organization to better support family caregivers in ways that reflect their varied needs for information, education, training, and supports.
Contact P. Renee Myatt, MPH, MA, at (919) 410-8096 and/or Myatt Professional Services to learn more about how your organization can continue to support family caregivers in your community.
