September 2017
Caregiving
It can be a labor of love, and sometimes a job of necessity. A total of about 43 million U.S. adults
provide unpaid care for someone with a serious health condition each year. These often unsung
heroes provide hours of assistance to others. The stress and strain of caregiving can take a toll on
their own health.
Some caregivers are family members, while others are friends. Every situation is different. So there
are different ways to give care. Caregiving can mean helping with day-to-day activities such as
doctor visits or preparing food. But it can also be long-distance, coordinating care and services for
your loved one by phone or email. Caregiving can also mean giving emotional and spiritual support.
You may be helping your loved one cope and work through the many feelings that come up at this
time. Talking, listening, and just being there are some of the most important things you can do.
Giving care and support during this challenging
time isn’t always easy. The natural response of
most caregivers is to put their own feelings and
needs aside. They try to focus on the person they
are caring for and the many tasks involved. This
may be fine for a short time. But it can be hard to
keep up for a long time. And it’s not good for your
health. If you don’t take care of yourself, you
won’t be able to take care of others.
It’s important for everyone that you give care
to you.
Resources: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/dec2015/Feature1
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/when-someone-you-love-is-treated.pdf
Kate Whitman, Manager
[email protected]
614-546-4062
Marcia Cronin, Supervisor
[email protected]
614-546-4974