Caregiving in the 21st
century is a complicated and sometimes controversial issue. It is interwoven with health insurance issues
and the economy. Family caregivers
provide large amounts of unpaid work in addition to being paid caregivers for
their children, parents or other relatives.
Society really needs to
step up to the plate and both recognize the contribution family caregivers make
to society, and provide them with financial and emotional support and respite
opportunities. Maintaining the physical
and emotional health of family caregivers should be top priority in a society
that wants to contain health care costs.
In addition to social
effects, caregiving is a difficult and complicated emotional process for the
individual. Feelings of anger, guilt and
grief can be mixed with feelings of love, pride at a job well done, and a sense
of purpose.
I hope this blog has
helped readers to be more aware of these issues, and to perhaps think about
ways they can contribute. If you are a
caregiver, take the time to care for yourself and reach out to others for
support. If you are not a caregiver,
offer your help through a volunteer organization or to individuals you know, to
provide respite and emotional support.
And if you think you might become a caregiver someday, be sure to
educate yourself now, before you find yourself becoming overwhelmed.
Family support is important to reduce the stress. Take myself for example. I study abroad alone. The homesickness sometimes makes me stressful. I lost 15-20 lbs in six months. With the technology, I am able to skype my parents and see their faces even I know they always clack. It is the way to make me feel more comfortable. Besides them, I seek emotional supports from the same ethnical background. That also helps however, I know it is still different when compared to the family warmth.
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