The Big Absent.
Caregiving? Caretaking? Care Partner? Sounds so simple.
Caregiving, Caretaking, or becoming a Care Partner can be very stressful, expensive, and time-consuming. What happens to you, the person who now cares for someone who is wholly dependent on you?
On November 9, 2023, Catherine Pearson wrote an article in the New York Times, “The Quiet Rage of Caregivers.” Becoming a care giver may be gradual or sudden, and with this comes an abrupt change that must be reckoned with. In addition to what seems like never-ending care, are ambiguous loss and grief; absolute sadness can set in.
Care givers play an integral role: we communicate with the medical professionals, we administer medication, we help with ADL (activities of daily living including bathing, ambulation, toileting, transferring, eating, and dressing), we report assessments to the medical care team, we do laundry, cook, clean, drive our loved one to appointments – the list goes on – so we MUST not become t
he big absent!!
Life Lesson: Recognizing the caregiver's value can ultimately lead to a positive caregiving experience. By understanding the roles and ethical issues associated with caregivers, physicians can navigate the provider-patient-caregiver relationship more effectively. You are your own advocate so speak up and care for yourself through your role as care giver. Access all the support you can. Help is out there so ask for help when you need it.