Are you a caretaker or a caregiver?

By Debbie Reis, President of AmeriCare, October 22, 2009

Do you ever place other people’s needs before your own? Do you ever feel that you care for a loved one out of responsibility or moral obligation? Do you ever feel like no one fully appreciates all that you do?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you fit the description of a caretaker. As a caretaker, you stretch yourself thin. You sacrifice your own personal time rather than disappoint a loved one. Often your day is a frantic attempt to balance the needs of family, work and the person for whom you care. You can easily feel overloaded, as your best never seems to satisfy all the things required of you. It’s frustrating, exhausting… and it’s unnecessary.

There is a happier, healthier way to meet your responsibilities. It involves a transition… to a caregiver.

Caregivers take a different approach. They recognize their limitations, and realize that they must take care of themselves before they can be of any help to anyone else. Instead of franticly juggling, they prioritize. They delegate. And most importantly, they seek help before they become overwhelmed, stressed out and resentful of those who depend on them. Caregivers understand that time spent with a loved one must never become a burden or a chore. That’s not productive or healthy for either one of you. Time spent with a loved one should be time you appreciate… quality time… sometimes trivial, sometimes silly, but often filled with moments that will become memories.

Becoming a caregiver can be quite a big transition. And it can require help. At AmeriCare we’re focused on providing this help, so you can find balance. Our professional caregivers are trained to be resources for you, whether you’re looking for companion, at home or senior care. By matching the right professional with your specific needs, we can offer your loved one comfort and you confidence.

We think of it as a solution for the whole family, which is only natural because almost every AmeriCare employee has been a caregiver for someone in their own family. It’s a difference you will notice in all the thoughtful things we do.

Tags: caregiver, caretaker, respite care, responsibility, senior care

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