Understanding Caregiving: The Benefits and the Struggles
There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. Caregiving is universal.
Caregiving is a life-changing role that often comes up without warning. It is sometimes voluntary, but other times, it results from necessity. In any case, it requires compassion, empathy and energy.
The National Institute of Aging reports that millions of Americans provide care for a family member or friend, sometimes short-term as they recover from an illness or injury, and other times, long-term for a serious condition. The person receiving care is often a child or a senior.
Caregiving is defined as providing assistance with activities and tasks.
- Everyday activities might include routines such as personal care, household chores, transportation, shopping and meal preparation, and managing finances.
- Medical care-related tasks can include purchasing and organizing medications, transporting to medical appointments, monitoring medical conditions, communicating with healthcare professionals, advocating on the person’s behalf with providers, and more.
The caregiving role can be rewarding and purposeful. It can also be challenging and demanding; often, it’s all of the above simultaneously.
If possible, before embarking on caregiving, it’s essential to understand the different elements involved, what the role means, how it can change over time, and what the positives and negatives can be.
This is the first in a series of resource documents explaining the meaning of caregiving, as well as its benefits and challenges.
The Benefits of Being a Caregiver
- Emotional fulfillment and purpose
Being a caregiver to a loved one can help you ‘transform pain into purpose’ and help you connect in a deeper and more meaningful way with your loved one. Caregiving often becomes a necessity in the event of a serious illness or injury, which is tough for all involved. As a caregiver, you’re actively being present and supportive to a parent or loved one during this difficult time. This can lead to an unprecedented sense of connection, fulfillment, gratitude and pride.
- Strengthening relationships
Caregiving often leads to stronger family bonds. When you step into a caregiving role, you may find that you better understand your loved one’s needs, desires, and experiences. This deeper understanding can enhance your relationship in unexpected ways. Additionally, caregiving has the potential of creating a sense of unity within families, as other relatives may step in to assist or provide emotional support, strengthening family ties and encouraging collective care.
- Personal growth and development
Being a caregiver challenges you in ways that can lead to significant personal growth. You may develop new skills such as medical knowledge, advocacy, finances and time management. It’s not uncommon for caregivers to become more patient, empathetic, and resilient over time. Additionally, navigating the challenges of caregiving can lead to greater self-awareness and a better understanding of your own emotional needs and limits.
- Gratitude and perspective
Caregivers often develop a deeper appreciation for their own health and well-being as they witness firsthand the challenges faced by their loved ones. This different perspective can bring about gratitude for life’s small moments. Many caregivers report that the experience has made them more compassionate and grateful for their own circumstances.
Furthermore, caregiving to an older adult, such as a parent or grandparent, can provide the sense of giving back to someone who has cared for you.
- Confidence in your loved one’s care
Being the hands-on caregiver can give you confidence in the treatment and attention your loved one receives.
- It’s good for you
Much of what you’ll read and hear about caregiving is that it’s exhausting and can take its toll on you.
However, a study by Johns Hopkins reported on the surprising health bonus of caregiving. Physical benefits can include improving strength and stamina resulting from lifting, dressing, and carrying, which are often inherent in caregiving.
Additionally, the necessity of multi-tasking, organizing, paying bills, remembering medications, etc., can promote cognitive health.
The Detriments of Being a Caregiver
Care.com says some caregivers know that caring for a loved one is their fate, while others are ‘thrust’ into it unexpectedly. Either way, it’s difficult to be prepared for all of the potential resulting challenges.
- Physical and emotional exhaustion
While we just ‘talked’ about the potential of caregiving being ‘good for you,’ there’s a flip side. Caregiving is exhausting, physically and emotionally.
It’s a demanding job, especially when it involves managing complex medical needs, assisting with mobility, or providing around-the-clock care. Add into that equation the emotional toll, including stress, anxiety, and depression.
Caregiving burnout is a very real concern. There are ways to address and combat that, but it’s important to be aware.
- Financial strain
An individual with a serious disease may find they’re unable to work, thus eliminating their source of income. If this person can’t afford professional caregiving, their spouse or partner may need to stop working in order to stay and care for them. It could be the loss of two incomes as well as health insurance, made worse by medical bills.
Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, and insurance may not cover your loved one’s specific needs. It’s important to be aware of potential financial strain and resources that might help you.
- Isolation and loneliness
Caregivers often find themselves feeling isolated, especially if their related responsibilities take up a lot of their time. The caregiver might feel that others don’t understand the weight of their caregiving responsibilities. That emotional strain can contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression.
- Loss of Personal Time
One of the biggest sacrifices caregivers make is giving up their personal time. With the demands of caregiving often taking priority, activities that were once enjoyable like hobbies, vacations, socialization, or even just relaxing time to recharge, may fall by the wayside. This lack of personal time can lead to resentment, frustration, and a sense of losing one’s identity outside of the caregiving role.
- You may be called to do tasks for which you feel unqualified
As a caregiver, you may need to participate in tasks outside your experience or comfort level. These may include giving injections, administering IVs, and adding to a port. In past generations, these would be done by nurses. You’ll want to ensure you have resources from whom to ask for guidance.
Finding Balance
The most important takeaway is that if you accept the role of a caregiver, it is going to be difficult, but it can also be rewarding. Either way, it should not be attempted alone. The following resource entries will provide important information regarding available resources, support, ideas for self-care and more.