good news is that you don’t “ The have to be a medical expert, a
superhero, or a saint in order to be a good caregiver.”
Samantha Harris
Letter From the Vice President Providing care for a family member or friend in need is a commitment of kindness, love, and loyalty. As medical treatments and therapies continue to advance, and there are an increasing number of people who live with chronic illnesses, more and more of us will participate in the caregiving process.
There are many different types of caregiving situations. It may involve taking care of an aging parent or a spouse with a chronic disease. Or perhaps you’re caring for a child who is faced with a physical or mental illness. Regardless of your particular circumstance, you’re facing a challenging new role.
If you are like most caregivers, you have not been trained for the responsibilities you now face each day. Most likely, you never anticipated you would be in this situation. The good news is that you don’t have to be a medical expert, a superhero, or a saint in order to be a good caregiver. With the right help and support, you can be an effective caregiver without having to sacrifice yourself in the process. At times, caregiving can be stressful. Learning to manage stress is part of being a good caregiver, which is not as difficult as you may think. The key is realizing you are not alone and you should not try to take on this responsibility single-handedly. There are community resources and support groups available – people have a huge ability to help one another. As a caregiver, you may find yourself facing a multitude of new responsibilities, many of which are unchartered territory. At times, you may feel overburdened, and in need of information or emotional support. There are many resources out there to help and support those who are caring for a loved one. Despite all of the many challenges, caregiving can also be an extremely rewarding experience to those individuals who continually give of themselves.
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