Caring for the caregivers.
National Family Caregivers month is a reminder of the invaluable contributions of family caregivers--contributions that are too often unrecognized when addressing the costs of health care. Unpaid caregivers spend a substantial percentage of each week "helping out," often with older relatives, which requires major changes in their work patterns. It is clear that these caregivers may need help balancing their work and caregiving responsibilities, and it is tempting to want to help them by "taking over" some of the seemingly overwhelming tasks they face daily. Yet, it is also important to recognize the ways in which these tasks may enrich caregivers' own quality of life. Through listening to caregivers, nurses and other health care professionals can better understand the embedded values, goals, joys, and disappointments that connect their lives with those for whom they care.
School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, USA. jsorrell@gmu.edu
Jeanne M
JM
Sorrell
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006040:Goals; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States