Rosalyn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”
Caregivers strengthen our communities by providing care, companionship, and support so that individuals can live with dignity and peace of mind. Like many essential roles, caregiving is physically and emotionally taxing. Amidst the demands of caring for others, caregivers’ mental health is overlooked. This can be due to compounding stressors, like time or financial constraints, social isolation, and limited support systems.
An understanding of the unique challenges of caregiving can inform the work to build systems to support caregivers holistically.
Caregiving Is Demanding Work
Caregivers may need to work long hours, often leading to physical and emotional exhaustion. Those caring for a loved one may navigate difficult emotions, including loss of control, isolation, or the feeling that caregiving is all-consuming.
Compounding these challenges is the historical reality that caregiving has been seen as the benevolent duty of family members. Caregiving was one of the few professions left out of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, meaning generations of caregivers have been without the support and protections many workers depend on.
Here are four areas to build a successful network for caregivers:
More information about Care for Caregivers can be found at nami.org