Family members who unselfishly provide support, encouragement, and assistance with daily living activities are quite deserving of recognition,” said Dr. Catherine Onuoha of Compassionate Home Care Partners of Polk County Florida. Family caregivers provide much needed help for loved ones facing limitations due to aging, illness or injury. The economic value of the hands-on assistance they provide is estimated at $450 billion each year.
We are here to help our neighbors in the Lakeland and surrounding areas.
“Caregiving is increasingly important as more Americans reach advanced age and are increasingly prone to disease and age-related limitations,” Dr. Onouha added. There are an estimated 65 million family caregivers, however, due to the personal and private nature of health challenges and limitations, many people who provide care and assistance do so without their friends knowing. Additionally, employed caregivers often choose not to reveal their caregiving role for fear of scrutiny and consequences if caregiving concerns consume time and attention that may affect their work performance.
Caregiving is often associated with activities such as providing assistance with dressing, personal hygiene, meals, medication reminders, paying bills, transportation, and helping around the house with cleaning and laundry. However, caregiving encompasses much more. Caregivers often serve as advisors to and advocates for their loved ones. They may coordinate care plans and manage physician visits and medication. Additionally, companionship and encouragement are often the most treasured value of a family caregiver.
Family caregivers often struggle to balance family, work, life and caregiving, so consider ways you can be supportive. There are many ways to show you care, whether sharing words of encouragement, treating someone to a cup of coffee, movie or night out, sharing a home cooked meal, or helping with errands or transportation.
While no one ever said caregiving would be easy, at Compassionate Home Care Partners we believe it should be rewarding. We encourage family caregivers to consider how they can make the most of the precious time they spend with their loved one. As the saying goes, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” There are hands-on tasks that must get done however; they may be better left to professional caregivers like Compassionate Home Care Partners so family can spend time in conversation and other meaningful interaction.
Despite the best intentions, caregiving can become overwhelming and stressful, so we offer these words of wisdom. I’ve Learned is attributed to Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes, he is quoted as saying:
- That being kind is more important than being right.
- That I can always send positive thoughts to someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
- That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
- That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
- The universe wasn’t created in a day. What makes me think I can accomplish this in one day?
- That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
- That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
Family Caregiver Facts:
- 65.7 million caregiver, 29% of the US adult population, provide care to someone who is ill, disabled or aged
- 43.5 million care for someone 50+ years of age
- Care giver services were valued at $450 billion US dollars a year and unpaid family caregivers will likely continue to be the largest source of long-term care services in the US.
- The aging population of 65+ will more than double between the 2000-2040 – which mean right now we are half way to that happening
- 50% of all caregivers 18 and over are employed full time outside of their caregiver role
Compassionate Home Care Partners of Polk County Florida offers a complete continuum of home healthcare services, similar to the care and support often provided by family members. Services include non-medical care, companionship, personal care* and medical services*. Our flexible care plans are tailored to fit our clients’ specific needs and budgets. To learn more about Compassionate Home Care Partners and get answers to your question call us at (863) 271-7776.
