The world’s population is getting older. However, the discovery of advanced medical technologies allows people to prolong life nowadays. This leads to create a new demand for a profession that was used to be handled by the family itself.

Carer, caretaker or any other terms that a caregiver might be called still they all serve the same purpose: providing direct care for those in need (children, elderly people, chronically ill etc.)

Definition

A caregiver is a person who gives help and protection to an individual with inability to do activities of his or her daily living. The help can be paid or unpaid (for example being performed by a family member).

The caregiver role

The role of a caregiver varies depending on the situation and is likely to change over time. It is said that caregiver has holistic roles which involves all around and everyday functions: from the very personal and basic duty up to the general responsibilities as well as environmental functions. Therefore, the care can be divided into several types:

  1. Physical care – Organizing and giving medication, monitoring symptoms, discussing treatments with loved ones and medical staff, providing assistance with personal care such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the toilet.
  2. Emotional care – listening, talking, reading or playing music. Providing caring companionship, providing support and encouragement.
  3. Practical and Environmental care – Helping with household chores, accompaniment to meetings and medical examinations

During the caregiver’s daily work he/she can encounter many difficulties, some of them might be connected with her work directly with the patient, while others may be due to the interaction with the patient’s family. Furthermore, working and caring for a person with a disability of any kind, is another thing the caregiver has to deal with from a physical and psychological perspective. Moreover, in case of worsening health condition of the patient or in cases of patient’s death, the caregiver experience also grief and loss.

Through the work is hard, intensive and many time stressful it is also rewarding and fulfilling. The privilege in caring for a person is a whole world.

“Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness”

Harold Kushner